Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) and Chapman's Green Hairstreak (Callophrys avis)
2009 photos highlighted in yellow. Click on any photo to go to an enlarged picture, or simply scroll down the page.
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| 4682_sex?_Var_15Apr07 - rubi | 9718_sex?_Var_12Apr08 - rubi | 9902_sex?_Var_21Apr08 - rubi |
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| 15187_sex?_Var_11May09 - rubi | 4760_sex?_Var_17Apr07 - avis | 4748_sex?_Var_17Apr07 - avis |
Rubi is a common early season butterfly, smaller than most hairstreaks. It tends to vary quite a lot in terms of the green colouration, from bluish to strongly yellowish (maybe partly due to ageing) and the white dots/lines (or lack of them). There seems to be virtually no visible difference between the sexes.
The only species rubi could be confused with is avis, a quite scarce and highly localised butterfly of the Mediterranean regions of France and Iberia. Avis is red around the eyes and palpi and has a more reddish feel to the wings, and the underside of the tips of the antennae are orange. The legs are coloured consistently, not having the striped appearance of rubi.
Avis also has (allegedly) a continuous white line extending the length of the undersides of both wings, and rubi has (allegedly) a few white dots at best forming a discontinuous white line not supposedly extending to the forewing. This is supposed to be a key differentiator between avis and rubi, but judging even from the photos on this page, it appears not to be a reliable guide. The detail is shown more clearly in the enlarged photos below.
Avis is a very early butterfly, appearing in early April (or even earlier) and the flight season is over by early May. It is only found where the larval hostplant, the Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo), grows, and as with many hairstreaks, it is quite sedentary and so could easily be missed, especially as it is green and thus very well camouflaged (neither avis nor rubi settle with wings open). It doesn't seem to stray very far from the larval hostplant which is actually quite common and widespread in southern Var.
4682: rubi: what I would consider to be a typical rubi, in terms of the colouring and the unh white marks. Altitude 780m.
9718: rubi: a strong basal blue flush and strong discal line on both wings. Altitude 140m.
9902: rubi: by contrast, a rather golden underside. Altitude 220m.
15187: rubi: possibly a male, based on hindwing shape. Altitude 185m.
4760: avis: the reddish colouration can be clearly seen, also the redness of the upperside just visible as the hindwings are not closed in line. Note that the white line does not appear strong compared to typical rubi. However, 2007 was a very early year because of the excellent weather in April, so this avis may have been near the end of its flight period (other individuals were looking quite worn, and none were fresh), so ageing could possibly account for the faintness of the white line. Altitude 30m.
4748: avis: as is often the case, if you only think you've seen it, you probably haven't. When you've really seen it, there's no doubt. The white area around the eyes is indicative of rubi. If you can see the white, it isn't avis. Altitude 30m.
