Kinross for the first time. The purple hairstreak butterfly has been increasing its range in Scotland.The species has its stronghold in southern England, but further north they are much less common.It is normally seen on the canopy of old oak trees where caterpillars feed and then adults lay their eggs.Adult butterflies eat honeydew as their main food source.
This sugar-rich liquid secreted by aphids is present on the oak leaves.They are particularly hard to spot as they spend most of their time on the tree tops.Sadly, purple hairstreaks have been declining in the UK; as much as 30 per cent down in the last 30 years.The colony at Loch Leven NNR on the oaks, next to the River Leven at Levenmouth, has probably been there for some time.
Read more on dailyrecord.co.uk