| Family | Lycaenidae |
|---|---|
| Subfamily | Theclinae |
| Genus | Satyrium |
| Species | ilicis |
| Authority | (Esper, 1779) |
| English Name | 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 Ilex Hairstreak occurs locally at woodland edges, and in coppices with warm, dry oak scrub. The female lays her eggs on the rather stunted oak trees, and certainly not on large oaks. The tiny caterpillar hibernates in the egg, or in the first larval instar. It feeds on the young oak leaves, eventually pupating in the litter layer under the foodplant. The caterpillars have been found in association with ants of the genera Camponotus and Crematogaster. The adult butterflies need nectar, feeding on flowering Common Privet (Ligustrum vulgare) and on bramble blossom (Rubus spp.). It is single-brooded.
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