The Enchanting World of the Copper Butterfly and Discover Its Captivating Characteristics

The Copper Butterfly, scientifically known as Lycaena phlaeas, is a small but striking butterfly species that captivates nature enthusiasts with its vibrant colors and intriguing life cycle. Found across Europe, Asia, and North America, this beautiful insect is a true gem in the world of Lepidoptera.

What is a Small Copper Butterfly?

The Small Copper, Lycaena phlaeas, is a species of gossamer-winged butterfly family or the Lycaenids. It is also known as the Common Copper. The phlaeas came from the Greek word phlego “to burn up” and the Latin floreo “to flourish”.

Little yet swift-flying, this butterfly has a wingspan of only about 21 to 30 mm. Its forewings are unmistakable: vibrant coloured copper or orange with several black spots, making it easy to spot when resting on flowers or plants. The hindwings are grey with a wavy, orange border pattern. Some female species have beautiful blue spots in the orange border. Lycaena phlaeas is active during summer months and is one of the most fascinating butterflies known to naturalists.

One of the most distinctive features of the Copper Butterfly is its stunning wing coloration. The upper side of the male’s wings is adorned with a brilliant coppery-orange hue, bordered by dark brown margins. The female’s wings, on the other hand, exhibit a more subdued orange color with darker spots. This sexual dimorphism adds an extra layer of intrigue to their appearance.

Beyond their visual appeal, Copper Butterflies have an interesting life cycle that showcases the incredible transformations insects undergo. From tiny eggs to voracious caterpillars and eventually to graceful adult butterflies, each stage is a testament to the wonders of nature.

What do Copper Butterflies eat?

The primary diet of the adult butterflies includes daisies, dandelions, buckwheat blossoms, thistles, heathers, ragworts, buttercups and red clovers. They get water and other nutrients from sucking wet sand and mud along streams and riverbanks.  This activity is known as mud puddling.

The caterpillars of Copper Butterflies feed on a variety of plants, including sorrels and docks. As they grow, they undergo several molts, shedding their exoskeletons to accommodate their increasing size. Once fully grown, the caterpillars enter the pupal stage, encasing themselves in a chrysalis where the miraculous metamorphosis takes place.

Emerging from the chrysalis, the adult Copper Butterfly unfurls its wings, revealing its full splendor. These delicate creatures can be spotted fluttering in meadows, gardens, and open woodlands, seeking out nectar from various flowers to fuel their flight.

Interestingly, Copper Butterflies exhibit a behavior known as “hilltopping,” where males congregate on hilltops or other high points to establish territories and await potential mates. This fascinating ritual highlights the complex mating behaviors found in the butterfly world.

Where do Copper Butterflies live?

The Small Copper can be found in many parts of North America, Europe, and Asia and can also be seen in northern parts of Africa and Ethiopia. It is widespread in the southern and central parts of United Kingdom and in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Their colonies, usually small in size, are commonly seen in the British Isles.

Small Coppers inhabit many types of environments where there is abundance of larval food. These butterflies thrive in chalk, cliffs, railways, heaths, pastures, cleared woodlands, old quarrying sites, embankments, hay meadows, and grasslands, particularly in limestone. But mountainous areas are exemption. Their populations are highly localised, living in one environment at a time. When breeding, they can be found in sunny slope bottoms and covered hollows where there are less vegetations and more room for basking.

By observing and understanding the life cycle and characteristics of the Copper Butterfly, we gain a deeper appreciation for the incredible diversity and beauty of our natural world. So, the next time you spot a flash of coppery-orange wings dancing in the sunlight, take a moment to marvel at the extraordinary journey of this remarkable insect.

Interesting Copper Butterfly Facts

• The Lycaenids are the second largest family of butterflies in the world. They consist 40% of all known species of butterflies.
• The larvae have mutual relationship with ants. The larvae produce a substance called honey dew which serves as food to the ants while the larvae lives in the ant hill.
• The larvae communicate with ants by producing vibrations and low sounds that are transmitted through plants.

Activity

Find a Small Copper butterfly. Get a magnifying glass and count the black and blue (if there are any) spots in their wings. Jot it down in your list of butterfly facts.