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Mila'sExotic Plants & CuriositiesA living collection by Luminary OdditiesLuminary Oddities · Natural history & art
Callophrys rubi
Lepidoptera / Lycaenidae
The Green Hairstreak's brown upperwings close over a matte-green underside, whose colour is produced by microscopic structures within the scales.
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Callophrys rubi is the Green Hairstreak, a small member of Lycaenidae. [1]
The green underside carries a fine, sometimes interrupted pale line. British adults measure about 26–33 mm across the wings. Larvae are green with yellow markings and fine hairs. [1]
In Britain, the species occupies heathland, moorland, grassland and woodland clearings. It is widespread but often concentrated around suitable scrub and food plants. [1]
Females lay single eggs. Larvae mature during summer and pupate at ground level; the pupae pass the winter in litter before adults emerge the following spring. [1]
British larval hosts include rock-rose, bird's-foot-trefoil, bilberry, bramble, broom and gorse. This range of food plants permits breeding in several contrasting habitats. [1]
Males defend perching positions during the spring flight season. Settled adults keep their wings closed, exposing the green underside. [1]
The green scales contain repeating three-dimensional networks of chitin and air known as single-gyroid photonic crystals. These structures selectively reflect visible wavelengths rather than producing green through pigment alone. [2]
Microscopy and optical measurements in 2017 showed how differently oriented crystal domains combine to produce a comparatively uniform green appearance. Individual domains can reflect different colours, while their collective response suppresses much of the strong angle-dependent flashing typical of iridescence. [2]
Woodland Trust · Accessed 2026-10-13
Interface Focus / Australian National University · Accessed 2026-10-13
Sources checked 2026-10-13. Illustrations · Luminary Oddities.
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