276 
LYCAENIDAE 
be found flitting about the outer branches, or darting at any 
passing insect to attack it, whether one of its own species or 
another. In those localities where it is very common, large 
numbers congregate on certain trees, having a preference for 
Oak or Ash, where they spend the day playing about the 
upper branches. Occasionally small trees between ten and 
fifteen feet in height are chosen, and sometimes the butterflies 
descend to the undergrowth, probably for the purpose of 
feeding on honey-dew, but this species does not appear to 
frequent flowers. 
This little butterfly is confined to the woods and forests 
throughout England, Wales and Scotland, except for the most 
northerly parts. In Ireland it occurs in the east and south. 
Abroad it ranges throughout Europe, except Polar regions. 
Time of Appearance. The Purple Hairstreak is single- 
brooded, appearing on the wing in July and August, and as 
late as the middle of September in some of the south-western 
districts. 
Hibernation. The winter months are passed in the egg 
stage, which lasts between seven and eight months and 
sometimes longer. 
Egg and Egg Laying. The eggs are laid during the latter 
part of July and August on the smaller branches and twigs 
of the Oak (Quercus peduncnlaia). They are laid singly, usually 
on the tips of the twigs at the base of the buds. The egg is 
large in comparison to the butterfly, o*8o mm. wide and 
50 mm. high, of compressed spheroid shape, flattened at the 
base. The micropyle is sunken and pitted. The egg is beauti¬ 
fully reticulated with white keels and prominent points, the 
whole forming a network pattern. Round the middle the 
points are strongly developed ; the reticulations are pure 
white, resembling frosted glass ; the ground surface is bluish- 
grey. At first the egg has a bluish tinge, which remains un¬ 
changed for many days, it gradually becomes white without 
further change throughout the autumn and winter until it 
hatches early in April. 
Larva. The little larva eats away a hole in the crown of 
the egg. This takes about twenty-four hours. The larva 
then emerges and at once searches for an opening in the 
expanding bud, to feed upon the tender portion. The hatching 
