Blues, coppers and hairstreaks · Sweden

Brown Hairstreak

Thecla betulae

A dark brown swift with short tails on its hindwings and red and yellow markings on its underside. In Sweden, it flies from late July to early September in thickets and along south-facing slopes. It is local and rather rare, from Skåne to Värmland and southern Dalarna.

Status in this countryLeast concern in SwedenLC (Least concern)

Flight period

Flying from the last week of July; the females can be observed until the beginning of September.

Habitat

Shrublands, south-facing forest edges and gardens with blackthorn and rowan.

Identifying features

Wingspan 28–40 millimetres and dark brown wings with short tails on the hindwings. The underside is dark brown with a red-yellow transverse band on the hindwing. The male has a dark scent spot on the forewing.

Similar species

No similar species are described in the sources consulted.

Distribution

Occurs from Skåne up to Värmland and southern Dalarna, but is local and quite rare throughout its Swedish range.

Biology

The larvae primarily feed on blackthorn and hawthorn.