White-letter Hairstreak
Satyrium w-album
National Status
Scattered colonies throughout England and Wales. Suffered major range contraction with Dutch Elm disease. Population trend 10 years to 2016 -77%; since 1976 -96%.
West Midlands Status
Isolated colonies throughout the region with the greatest concentration in north-west Staffordshire. Range contracting. Population trend 10 years to 2016 – decreasing but under-recorded
White-letter Hairstreak was recorded in 32 squares in 2026
10 Year Trend Analysis
Habitat
Elm trees (Ulmus spp.) in all suitable habitats, such as woodland edges, hedges and even solitary large elms in gardens. Elms, with an open, sunny, southern aspect are preferred.
Caterpillar Food Plant
Elms
Life Cycle
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Egg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larva | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pupa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adult | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flight Period
Late June to mid-August.
First/Last Sightings 2026
| First Sighting | Recorded by | Last Sighting | Recorded by |
| 30 April | Steven Croft | 19 August | Nash, Neil |
Distribution Map
Key
Total number of sightings per tetrad
Hotspots
Haugh Wood (Herefordshire), North Hill Malvern (Worcestershire-Herefordshire border), Upton Warren and Burlish Meadows in Stourport (Worcestershire), Stafford Castle and Baggeridge Country Park (Staffordshire), and Woodgate Valley (Birmingham and the Black Country).