- Family: Lycaenidae
- Scientific name: Satyrium esculi (Hübner 1804) (Nordmannia esculi)
- English common name: False Ilex Hairstreak
- Spanish common name: Querquera
The False Ilex Hairstreak – Satyrium esculi – Querquera is a fairly small butterfly with a grey / brown ground colour to the under wings, which may carry a broken white line. The hind edge may also carry orangey / red spots. The brown upper wings are rarely revealed. This species favours areas of maquis with low growing oaks.
The caterpillars of this species can grow up to 2cm long and are green, tapered towards the tail.
- Wing size: 30-34mm
- Altitude: 500-1300m
- Flight time: May-August
- Over-wintering: Caterpillar or remaining in egg
- Caterpillar food plant: Low growing Oaks (Quercus sp.)
- Distribution: Iberia, southern France
Similar species: Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium ilicis) which has a darker, richer brown ground colour.
Butterflies of Iberia. These are included in the list of butterflies in Andalusia. Images taken in Andalucia, Southern Spain.
Ronda Today
Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/
The Caminito del Rey
Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/
Wildside Holidays – Spain
Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.
Iberia Nature Forum
Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum!
Discover the Iberia Nature Forum – Environment, geography, nature, landscape, climate, culture, history, rural tourism and travel.
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain.