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This is a fairly small butterfly which is seen early in the year, normally flying low around meadows. The under wings are distinctive in that the fore wing is orange with black spots and the hind wing is mostly covered in green hairs on a grey / brown ground colour. The upper wings which are rarely seen are brown in the males whilst brown with orange patches on the females.
The caterpillars of this species can grow up to 1.5cm, they are pink and tapered towards the tail.
Family: Lycaenidae
Scientific name: Tomares ballus (Fabricius 1787)
English common name: Provence Hairstreak
Spanish common name: Cardenillo
Wing size: 28-30mm
Altitude: 300-1300m
Flight time: January-May
Caterpillar food plant: Medicago, Dorycnium, Lotus, Anthyllis
Distribution: Iberia, southern France Similar species: Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) which lacks the green colouring on the hind underwing. Butterflies of Iberia
These are included in the list of butterflies in Andalusia.
Images taken in Andalucia, Southern Spain.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 19 February 2008 14:27 )
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Insects and Creepy Crawlies 
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