Purple Hairsteak 

Favonius quercus

Purple Hairsteak Favonius quercus

TQ4792 01/08/2006 ©Brian Ecott

Found in woodland containing oak trees which is the larval foodplant. Their larvae feed at night and rest during the daytime. The caterpillar feeds on its eggshell after hatching and then burrows into a developing oak bud to conceal itself. After the first moult the larva leaves the bud and makes a loosely-spun web to live under. Debris caught in the web helps to provide a camouflaged hideaway. There are three moults before the larva changes into an adult.

Purple Hairsteak Favonius quercus

TQ4792 18/07/2018 ©Raymond Small

Purple Hairsteak Favonius quercus

TQ4792 21/05/2017 ©Raymond Small

Purple Hairsteak Favonius quercus

TQ4792 16/05/2019 ©Raymond Small

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