Small Copper
Lycaena phlaeas
The bright orange-red forewings with dark spots and a broad dark brown border make this small butterfly easy to recognise. Males hold small territories and chase off rivals and even much larger butterflies.
- Group
- Blues
- Photos
- 1
- Taken
- 2023
Profile: Small Copper
- Family
- Gossamer-winged butterflies (Lycaenidae)
- Wingspan
- approx. 22–27 mm
- Habitat
- Sparsely vegetated open ground such as sand pits, inland dunes, path verges, fallow land and other sandy areas.
- Diet
- Caterpillars feed on docks and sorrels, in Central Europe mainly sheep's sorrel and common sorrel; adults prefer to take nectar from yellow and white flowers.
- When to see
- Three to four overlapping generations in Central Europe, flying roughly from April to late October.
Learn more: Wikipedia