Purple Hairstreak   Neozephyrus quercus

Neozephyrus quercus

This isn't an uncommon butterfly but it tends to stay in the tree tops particularly oak trees. Here it is feeding on the flowers of Cotoneaster lacteus (Late Cotoneaster).

I'm amazed I got this photo which was taken handheld with zoom on maximum (x 10) and just a general aim in the direction of where the butterfly appeared to have landed in the tree top. First time I'd ever seen it too.

Barnes cemetery, London, 30th June 2006

Added on 6th July 2006, updated 27th June & November 6th 2008, updated 7th June 2010