« Back

Favonius quercus

Purple hairstreak

Description

Larva up to 20 mm in length, relatively flattened, wider, than tall, rusty-brown or cinnamon-brown in colour with dark-brown dorsal line, which is bordered by paler stripe. Each segment bear dark-brown, in upper part whitish bordered, skewed stripe below dorsum. Last three segments usually paler than other ones. Lateral line is whitish. Larva feeds on Quercus spp. Hibernation as individual egg on branches. Pupation on ground. Adult 25-30 mm in wingspan, dark brown with metallic-blue wings (male) or with metallic-blue spots on forewings (female). Marginal zone of oak forests, open oak forests, locally fairly abundant.

Symptom

The caterpillar has a very atypical shape. It is oval and resembles a small snail without a shell rather than a butterfly caterpillar.

Tree Species: Oak

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest significance: Harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes