Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

TDeep Overview: Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

The Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) is a vibrant, fast-flying butterfly found across Europe, North Africa, Asia, and North America. It is known for its bright orange wings with black spots, compact size, and aggressive territorial behavior. Despite its delicate appearance, this butterfly is highly adaptable and can thrive in varied habitats.

Taxonomy & Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Insecta
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, and Hairstreaks)
• Genus: Lycaena
• Species: Lycaena phlaeas
• Common Names:
  • Small Copper
  • American Copper (in some North American populations)

Physical Description

• Wingspan: 22–35 mm (0.87–1.38 in)
• Coloration & Markings:
  • Upperwings:
    • Bright orange with black spots
    • Dark brown borders
    • A subtle blue dusting near the hindwing edges (in some individuals)
  • Underwings:
    • Pale brownish-gray with small black spots
    • Orange band along the hindwing edges
• Key Features:
  • Small size but highly noticeable due to its bright colors
  • No sexual dimorphism—males and females look similar

Distribution & Habitat

• Geographic Range:
  • Found across Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia, and North America
  • Also present in Japan and parts of Central Asia
• Preferred Habitat:
  • Heathlands, grasslands, meadows, coastal dunes, gardens, roadsides, and urban parks
  • Prefers dry, sunny areas with low-growing vegetation
  • Thrives in both wild and disturbed habitats

Behavior & Adaptations

• Territorial & Aggressive:
  • Males are highly territorial and will chase off other butterflies, bees, and even larger insects
• Strong, Fast Flight:
  • Flies in quick, darting patterns
• Sun-Loving Species:
  • Frequently basks in sunlight with wings open
• Multiple Generations Per Year:
  • In warm climates, can produce 2–3 generations annually

Diet & Feeding Habits

• Caterpillars (Larvae):
  • Feed mainly on sorrel and dock plants (Rumex species)
• Adult Butterflies:
  • Nectar feeders, preferring flowers like thistles, daisies, clover, and dandelions
• Feeding Strategy:
  • Often seen nectaring with wings open to absorb sunlight

Reproduction & Life Cycle

• Breeding Season:
  • April to October (varies by region)
• Egg-Laying:
  • Females lay eggs on the underside of sorrel and dock leaves
• Caterpillar Stage:
  • Green with a slightly flattened body
  • Resembles a tiny, segmented slug
• Pupation & Overwintering:
  • Overwinters as a caterpillar or pupa
  • Pupation occurs low in vegetation or on the ground
• Lifespan:
  • Adults live 2–3 weeks

Predators & Threats

• Natural Predators:
  • Birds, spiders, predatory insects (e.g., wasps and ants)
• Human-Related Threats:
  • Habitat destruction due to intensive farming and urbanization
  • Overuse of herbicides, reducing host plants
• Conservation Status:
  • Least Concern (LC) but declining in some areas due to habitat loss

Ecological Importance

• Pollinator:
  • Helps pollinate wildflowers and crops
• Part of the Food Chain:
  • Caterpillars and adults provide food for birds, reptiles, and predatory insects

Relationship with Humans

• Common in Gardens & Parks:
  • Frequently seen visiting nectar-rich flowers
• Indicator of Habitat Health:
  • The presence of Small Coppers suggests a healthy ecosystem
• No Agricultural Impact:
  • Larvae feed on wild plants, not crops

Fun Facts

• Males aggressively defend their territory, often perching on a prominent leaf or rock
• Females are selective in choosing egg-laying sites, ensuring the best conditions for their offspring
• Despite their small size, they are feisty butterflies, often engaging in aerial battles
• One of the few butterfly species capable of multiple broods per year in warm regions

Conclusion

The Lycaena phlaeas is a small but striking butterfly known for its fiery orange wings, territorial nature, and adaptability. Thriving in meadows, gardens, and coastal areas, it remains a common sight despite challenges like habitat loss. Conservation efforts focused on preserving grasslands and wildflowers will help ensure its continued success.

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Common tiger (Danaus genutia)

Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines)

Comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album)

Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)

Orange gull (Cepora judith)

Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

Common copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)

Blue glassy tiger (Ideopsis similis)

Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)

Download full size image The Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is a charming butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae, known for its striking appearance and widespread distribution across Europe and parts of Asia. Here's a detailed description: Physical Characteristics: The Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is of medium size, with a wingspan typically ranging from 45 to 55 millimeters. It displays a distinctive pattern of bright orange wings bordered by a black band with white spots. The forewings also feature a row of blue crescents near the outer edge, while the hindwings have a series of blue spots and a border of black and yellow. The undersides of the wings are mottled brown, providing effective camouflage when the butterfly is at rest. Habitat and Distribution: Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are commonly found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, grasslands, woodlands, gardens, and urban areas. They are distributed across much of Europe, including the British Isles, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean region, as well as parts of Asia, such as Siberia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. They are particularly abundant in temperate regions with diverse plant species. Behavior and Life Cycle: Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are diurnal and active during the warmer months of the year, especially in spring and summer. They are strong and agile flyers, often seen fluttering among flowers in search of nectar and mates. The females lay eggs singly on the leaves of stinging nettles (Urtica spp.), which serve as the primary larval host plant. The caterpillars hatch from the eggs and feed on the leaves of the host plants before pupating and emerging as adult butterflies. Conservation Status: The Small Tortoiseshell is not considered globally threatened and is generally common and widespread throughout its range. However, like many butterfly species, it may face localized threats due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation caused by agricultural intensification, urbanization, and climate change. Conservation efforts focused on preserving and restoring habitats, protecting larval host plants, and minimizing human disturbance are crucial for ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic butterfly species. Overall, the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful and ecologically important species, valued for its striking appearance, graceful flight, and role in pollination and ecosystem functioning. Its presence adds vibrancy and vitality to natural landscapes and serves as a symbol of the rich biodiversity of the regions where it is found.

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

False heath fritillary (Melitaea diamina)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Northern chequered skipper (Carterocephalus silvicola)

Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)

Chestnut heath (Coenonympha glycerion)

Lesser marbled fritillary (Brenthis ino)

Common tiger (Danaus genutia)

European peacock (Inachis io)

Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

Julia Heliconian (Dryas iulia)

Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)

Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

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