Small Copper, Lycaena phlaeas

Identification

Wingspan, 30mm to 35mm.

Both sexes have very similar colour-patterning. The upper surfaces of the forewings are orange brown with a dark brown band down the outer edge and a number of dark brown spots on their outer half. The upper surfaces of the hind wings are grey brown with an irregular, orange brown band along their hind margins. The under surfaces of the forewings are orange brown with a dusky outside border and a number of white-edged dark spots. The undersides of the hind-wings are a warm grey brown with an indistinct orange band just inside their hind margins and small dark spots scattered over the inner two thirds of each wing.

Behaviour and life history

The Small Copper forms rather loose colonies centred on their larval food plants and adults spend much of their time making short flights around the breeding site looking for females and feeding on flowers. Males are particularly fond of positioning themselves on flowers to bask in the sun and from which they launch attacks against any other small butterflies intruding onto their territory. This species typically has three broods a year with the third generation caterpillars over-wintering. The over-wintering caterpillar pupates at the end of March or beginning of May and first brood adults are on the wing in early May. After a developmental period of about two months, the second brood adults emerge in the first half of July and the third brood in late September / early October. The preferred food plants of the caterpillars are Sheeps Sorrel, Rumex acetosella, and Common Sorrel, Rumex acetosa.

Where to look for it

The Small Copper favours warm, species-rich short grassland such as is found in non-intensively managed fields, cemeteries, cliffs and woodland rides. It is also commonly found on derelict and waste sites such as old quarries and abandoned railway lines as well as on heathland. The best places to see this species in the city are the grasslands and waste places on the limestone in Cattedown, Pomphlet, Billacombe, Oreston, Radford and Turnchapel. It is a prominent butterfly of Efford Marsh, Forder Valley and Bircham Valley Local Nature Reserves.

Distribution and status

It is locally common and widespread throughout Plymouth.

When to look for it

Adults are on the wing through May and early June, most of July and August and in late September and early October.

Similar species

This brightly colour-patterned species is unmistakeable for any other.

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