hairstreak

[hair-streek]

noun

1. any small, dark butterfly of the family Lycaenidae, subfamily Theclinae, having hairlike tails on the hindwings.

hairstreak

/ ˈhɛəˌstriːk /

noun

1. any small butterfly of the genus Callophrys and related genera, having fringed wings marked with narrow white streaks: family Lycaenidae

Word History and Origins

Origin of hairstreak¹

First recorded in 1810–20; hair + streak

Example Sentences

They were looking for caterpillars of the UK's five species of hairstreak butterfly.

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The spokesperson said the Sheffield tree was "fortunately resistant" to the disease and was also home to the white-letter hairstreak butterfly, which had saved it from the chop during Sheffield City Council's felling programme.

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The white-letter hairstreak’s northward journey is thought to be a response to the warming climate.

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In Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man similar measures are in place to protect species, including the dingy skipper and the purple hairstreak.

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Thought to be about 120 years old, that elm has won a stay of execution, but only because it is home to a rare species of butterfly, the white-letter hairstreak.

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