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Thecla betulae · beržinis zefyras

EN · brown hairstreak DE · Nierenfleck-Zipfelfalter, Birken-Zipfelfalter LT · beržinis zefyras LV · bērzu zefīrs PL · pazik brzozowiec

Its scientific name betulae seems to be a complete misnomer - the word translates as "birch", but it is not in any way associated with birch trees. In Europe the female lays her eggs on blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) in late August which overwinter, hatching the following spring when the buds are breaking. It has been found that the best way to find breeding sites for this species is to look for the conspicuous white eggs in the winter. The larvae are extremely well camouflaged and feed only at night, remaining motionless during the day. Pupation takes place in leaf litter on the ground in late June or early July and are attractive to ants who will bury them in shallow cells.