| Family | Lycaenidae |
|---|---|
| Subfamily | Theclinae |
| Genus | Satyrium |
| Species | esculi |
| Authority | (Hübner, [1804]) |
| English Name | False Ilex Hairstreak |
| European Red List 2010 | Least Concern (LC) |
|---|---|
| EU 27 Red List 2010 | Least Concern (LC) |
| European Red List 2025 | Least Concern (LC) |
| EU 27 Red List 2025 | Least Concern (LC) |
| Habitats Directive | |
| Bern Convention | |
| CITES |
The False Ilex Hairstreak can be found in dry scrub, open, deciduous woodland, or in mixed woodland. The butterflies can often be seen drinking nectar on thyme. The females lay their eggs on various oak species, including the Holm Oak (Quercus ilex), Common or Pedunculate Oak (Q. robur), Kermes or Holly Oak (Q. coccifera), and Pyrenean Oak (Q. pyrenaica). The small caterpillars only emerge from the egg the following spring, when they start eating the young oak leaves. The ant Camponotus cruentatus has been found in association with them. This species has one brood a year.
Andorra / France / France: Mainland / Italy / Italy: Mainland / Portugal / Portugal: Mainland / Spain / Spain: Mainland / Spain: Balearic Islands /