Butterfly seen for first time at reserve

Purple hairstreak was spotted at Loch Leven

A species of butterfly has been recorded on the Loch Leven reserve for the first time.

The purple hairstreak butterfly has been increasing its range in Scotland.

The species has its stronghold in southern England, but further north they are much less common.

It is normally seen on the canopy of old oak trees where caterpillars feed and then adults lay their eggs.

Adult butterflies eat honeydew as their main food source. This sugar-rich liquid secreted by aphids is present on the oak leaves.

They are particularly hard to spot as they spend most of their time on the tree tops.

Sadly, purple hairstreaks have been declining in the UK; as much as 30 per cent down in the last 30 years.

The colony at Loch Leven NNR on the oaks, next to the River Leven at Levenmouth, has probably been there for some time.

Loch Leven National Nature Reserve officer Simon Ritchie explained in a recent blog that “enthusiastic hairstreak hunters” recorded seeing them at the Kinross-shire reserve two weeks ago for the first time.

He said the small butterflies could be easily missed, as they only come out in the evening.

“If you are out searching for Purple Hairstreak, going after 5pm is recommended,

“I’d urge anyone to get out there and have a look for them.

“All you need is a sunny, warm evening in late summer (mid July to late August) and some oak trees.

“If you find any, then please put your records into your local biological records centre or irecord - https://www.brc.ac.uk/ irecord/enter-casual-record

“It would be great to raise awareness of this fantastic butterfly and find out more about their range.”