Chalk Hill Blue vs Green Hairstreak

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Chalk Hill Blue Green Hairstreak
Scientific Name Polyommatus coridon Callophrys rubi
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lycaenidae Lycaenidae
Size Wingspan 33-40mm Wingspan 26-34mm
Habitat Grasslands Heathland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe Europe, Asia, Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Chalk Hill Blue

A large blue butterfly with silvery-blue males and brown females. Restricted to chalk and limestone grasslands.

💡

Did You Know?

Males have an ethereal silvery-blue tone unique among European butterflies, visible in large numbers on chalk hills.

Green Hairstreak

A small butterfly with plain brown uppersides but stunning iridescent green undersides. It always rests with wings closed showing only the green underside.

💡

Did You Know?

It is the only green butterfly in Britain and its color comes from photonic crystals in the wing scales not pigment.