# Green Hairstreak (*Callophrys rubi*) The Green Hairstreak is a small butterfly with bright green wings. It loves to flutter around in sunny places, especially where there are flowers and bushes. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Woodlands ![Green Hairstreak](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Callophrys_May_2014-1a.jpg&width=800) Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Callophrys_May_2014-1a.jpg) ## Appearance The Green Hairstreak has brilliant iridescent emerald green undersides, sharply contrasting with its plain brown uppersides. It's unique among hairstreaks for lacking the typical 'hairstreak' tail on its hindwings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Lycaenidae - **Genus:** Callophrys ## Interesting facts - Caterpillars often trick ants into protecting them with sugary secretions! - Despite its name, it actually has no tiny 'hairstreak' tails on its hindwings! - It's one of the earliest butterflies to emerge, often seen in early spring! - Its stunning green color comes from microscopic scales that reflect light! ## Special abilities - **Disappearing Act:** Green Hairstreak can vanish into foliage because its emerald green wings blend perfectly with leaves, helping it hide from predators. - **Sun Seeker:** Green Hairstreak has dark bodies that help them absorb sunlight efficiently, allowing them to warm up quickly and fly on cool spring days. - **Camouflage Egg:** Green Hairstreak can lay tiny eggs camouflaged to look like flower buds, protecting them from hungry birds and insects. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on leaves and buds. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars eat plant leaves and buds, while adult butterflies feed on flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Gorse leaves, Bramble leaves, Bird's-foot Trefoil - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Bramble (*Rubus fruticosus*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Eaten by:** [Gorse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gorse) (*Ulex europaeus*) — Caterpillars munch on its flowers and buds. - **Pollinates:** [Bird's-foot Trefoil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/birds-foot-trefoil) (*Lotus corniculatus*) — Adult butterflies help spread its pollen. - **Symbiotic with:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — Ants protect caterpillars for sugary honeydew. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Butterflies are gentle and safe to watch, but remember not to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Green Hairstreak? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Green Hairstreak's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is Green Hairstreak? 15-25 mm ### How long does Green Hairstreak live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Green Hairstreak fly? 10 km/h ### What does Green Hairstreak eat? Adults sip nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on leaves and buds. ### Where is Green Hairstreak usually found? Woodlands ### How does Green Hairstreak hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Doñana National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/do-ana-national-park) — Andalusia, ES · National Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Green Hairstreak: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-hairstreak)