American Copper Butterfly

Lycaena phlaeas

The American Copper Butterfly is a very attractive, small butterfly. It is found statewide and has a flight period of May through September.

The American Copper is a Foreigner

Although the name "American Copper" indicates it is a native butterfly, it actually is not American at all. It was brought to this country from abroad.

Even though it isn't American it is copper. That part of its name comes from the color of its dorsal forewings

This butterfly likes meadows and oak savannas. It is about the same size as a Karner Blue. Sometimes in a field of lupine it can be momentarily mistaken for the Karner.

The American Copper larvae feed on sheep sorrel and rarely curled dock. The adults spend a lot of time on white flowers.

This butterfly is rarely found in large numbers. It doesn't seem to be as common now as it has been in the past. This could be a result of herbicides and loss of pasturelands. Obviously the loss of its habitat would lead to lesser numbers of the butterfly.

American Copper on a dandelion

The same Copper showing it colors

...and another

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