White-letter Hairstreak

Often found flying around the tops of elm trees throughout July and into August, White-letter Hairstreaks come down in the morning to feed on thistles before returning to the treetops. You can identify this butterfly by its brown colouration and the distinctive white W shape on its lower wing.

The White-letter Hairstreak is a species which experienced a massive decline in the UK due to Dutch Elm disease. This disease has decimated many native elm trees (including Wych and English elm) which are the hairstreak’s only egg-laying and caterpillar host tree. As a result, the population has declined by 78% since 1972.