Green Hairstreak

National Status: Found throughout the UK with some losses in recent years. Population trend 10 years -34%: since 1976 -41%.
West Midlands Status: Scattered occurrences across the region but scarce in Herefordshire. Likely under-recorded, seldom common, range probably stable. Population trend 10 years – decreasing.
Hotspots: Whixall, Wem and Fenn’s Mosses in Shropshire, Cannock Chase in Staffordshire and the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire. Sites: Whixall Moss, Bury Ditches, Cannock Chase, Baggeridge Country Park, North Hill, Malvern, Portway Hill, Penny Hill, Hartlebury
Common.Habitat: Found in a wide range of habitats reflecting the variety of foodplants it utilises. Heaths, moors, bogs, quarries, brownfield sites, scrubby grassland and woodland clearings.
Flight: Period Mid-April to late June with some noteworthy July and even August records from the Malvern area. Peak emergence is mid-April to early June Wingspan 27–34 mm.

Caterpillar Food Plant: The main foodplants are Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), Broom (Cytisus scoparius), Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Common Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium), Dyer’s Greenweed (Genista tinctoria) and Gorse (Ulex europeaus). Bramble (Rubus fruticosus), Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix) and Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) are also used.Habitat