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Rare Purple Hairstreak is spotted Rare Purple Hairstreak is spotted
(19 minutes later)
A rare butterfly has been spotted in Perthshire, hundreds of miles from its usual habitats in England and Wales. A rare butterfly has been spotted in Perthshire, hundreds of miles from its usual habits in England and Wales.
The female Purple Hairsteak was discovered outside the National Trust for Scotland's visitor centre at Killiecrankie near Pitlochry.The female Purple Hairsteak was discovered outside the National Trust for Scotland's visitor centre at Killiecrankie near Pitlochry.
The species is more commonly found high in the branches of oak trees south of the border.The species is more commonly found high in the branches of oak trees south of the border.
Unlike most butterflies, the Purple Hairstreak does not feed on flowers but gets its nourishment from honeydew.Unlike most butterflies, the Purple Hairstreak does not feed on flowers but gets its nourishment from honeydew.
The butterfly was found by centre manager Ben Notley on 15 September on the ground at the front of the centre.The butterfly was found by centre manager Ben Notley on 15 September on the ground at the front of the centre.
He said: "It is the first time a Purple Hairstreak has been recorded at Killiecrankie and it was the first time personally that I've been lucky enough to see one.He said: "It is the first time a Purple Hairstreak has been recorded at Killiecrankie and it was the first time personally that I've been lucky enough to see one.
"The butterfly, which has beautiful reflective purple markings on its wings, usually lives high up in the branches of oak trees in England and Wales, so Perthshire would very much be the limit of its Northern range.""The butterfly, which has beautiful reflective purple markings on its wings, usually lives high up in the branches of oak trees in England and Wales, so Perthshire would very much be the limit of its Northern range."
Purple Hairstreaks are found from July to September, so the butterfly at the centre would have been at the end of its two-month lifespan.Purple Hairstreaks are found from July to September, so the butterfly at the centre would have been at the end of its two-month lifespan.