Burgos, Spain, July 2011
Middle Atlas, Morocco, June 2005
Field notes and information
A butterfly of very hot dry scrub habitats. It is found in Mediterranean habitats and semi-desert regions.
Identification & Similar species: Very similar to the ilex hairstreak, S. ilicis. See that page for more information.
Also similar to the sloe hairstreak, , which has ligher underside ground colour and orange spots confined to the lower half of the hindwing around the tail which often almost merge together.
Distribution & Flight: Southern France, Iberia and north Africa. It is often common where found. In Morocco it is abundant in most places where scrub oaks grow - and that is a very large area indeed in the High and Middle Atlas mountains. It flies in June and July, old specimens are found in August.
Habitat & Behaviour: Flies rapidly around scrub oaks, settling occasionally for nectar.
Var, France, July 2009
Prov. Malaga, Spain, July 2013
Var, France, August 2010
Middle Atlas, Morocco, June 2005
Prov. Malaga, Spain, July 2013
Var, France, July 2009
Var, France, August 2010
Grenada, Spain, July 2013