7-7-2021 CORRAL RUBIO, LA MANCHA - FALSE ILEX HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY (Satyrium esculi)

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/86291523

 

2-7-2020 ROSSELL, CASTELLON - FALSE ILEX HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY (Satyrium esculi)

Satyrium esculi, the false ilex hairstreak, is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. The species was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1804.

The false ilex hairstreak lives throughout North Africa (Morocco to Tunisia) and the Iberian Peninsula (with the exception of Galicia, where its food plants are absent). It is also found on the Balearic Islands and in southern France from the Pyrenees to the Cote d'Azur, extending into Liguria in Italy.

The False Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium esculi) is a small, brown Mediterranean butterfly found in Spain, Portugal, Southern France, and North Africa, with a wingspan of \(2.6\) to \(3.4\) cm. Active between May and August, it feeds on low-growing scrub oaks (Quercus sp.) and features a broken white line with orange spots on its hindwings. Key Facts about the False Ilex Hairstreak: Appearance: The underwings are brown with a broken white line and orange spots, while the upper wings are dark brown, with females sometimes showing additional orange patches.

Behavior: Known to fly rapidly around scrub oaks and settle frequently to nectar, often on Helichrysum flowers.Habitat: Prefers hot, dry, scrubby areas (maquis).Life Cycle: Young larvae are known to overwinter inside their eggs.Identification: Very similar to the Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium ilicis) and Sloe Hairstreak (Satyrium acaciae), but typically lacks blue spots near the anal angle of the hindwing.Distinction from Ilex: The white marginal line on the hindwing is generally weaker in S. esculi compared to S. ilicis and may not extend past sectors s3 or s4. 

The larvae feed on sclerophyllous oaks of woodland and maquis: holm oak and kermes oak.