UK Butterflies

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Small Copper

Lycaena phlaeas

ly-SEE-nuh FLEE-uss

Wingspan
26 - 36 mm

Checklist Number
61.001

Small Copper

Lycaena phlaeas

ly-SEE-nuh FLEE-uss

Wingspan
26 - 36 mm

Checklist Number
61.001


The Small Copper is a fast flying butterfly that, once settled, is unmistakable with its bright copper-coloured forewings. It is a widespread species and a familiar and welcome sight for many naturalists throughout the summer months. This butterfly occurs in discrete colonies throughout Britain and Ireland, but is absent from mountainous areas and far north-west Scotland, the Outer Hebrides and Shetland. Most colonies are fairly small, with just a few adults being seen on the wing at any one time.

The species was first defined in Linnaeus (1761) as shown here (type locality: Sweden). The nominate subspecies has not been recorded in Britain or Ireland.

This subspecies was first defined in Fabricius (1798) as shown here (type locality: Germany).

This subspecies is found throughout Britain, but is not found in Ireland.

Lycaena phlaeas ssp. eleus (Fabricius, 1798)

Original (Latin)

alis emarginatis fuscis: anticis utrinque disco fuluo nigro punctato, posticis fasciola fulua, subtus cinereis nigro punctatis.

Habitat in Germania.

Affinis certe H. Helle at omnino distincta. Antennae fuscae, albo annulatae, claua oblonga nigra, apice ferruginea. Alae anticae fuscae disco fuluo, nitido punctis maioribus nigris, subtus cinereae disco fuluo punctis subocellaribus atris. Posticae valde emarginatae et fere bicaudatae, fuscae, nitidae fascia abbreuiata dentata, fulua, subtus cinereae punctis minutis nigris strigaque postica obsoleta, fulua.

Translation

Wings brown, notched; the forewings in the discal region reddish yellow on both sides, with black spots, the hindwings with a reddish yellow band, grey beneath, with black spots.

Lives in Germany.

Doubtless related to H. helle but quite distinct. Antennae brown, ringed white, with a black, oblong club, tip rust-coloured. Forewings dark brown with a bright reddish yellow discal region with large black spots, grey beneath with a reddish orange discal region with (small?) black eyespots. Hindwings greatly notched and generally twin-tailed, dark brown, with a bright band with short teeth, reddish yellow, grey beneath with minute black spots and a faint reddish yellow outer band.

This subspecies was first defined in Goodson (1948) (type locality: County Kerry, Ireland).

This subspecies is found throughout Ireland and Goodson's analysis was based on 45 specimens from Co. Kerry, 258 from Co. Cork, 18 from Co. Kildare, 10 from Co. Dublin, 10 from Co. Galway, 1 from Belfast and approximately 160 from England. Based on a small number of specimens, Riley (2007) suggests that the subspecies may be found on the Isle of Man, but acknowledges that "study of a larger sample is required for confirmation".

This subspecies differs from ssp. eleus as follows:

  • 1. On the upperside of the hindwings the copper band is generally broader.
  • 2. On the underside the ground colour is generally greyer than the brown of eleus.
  • 3. On the underside of the hindwings the red marginal band is brighter and more conspicuous.

Lycaena phlaeas ssp. hibernica (Goodson, 1948)

♂ ♀. Upperside. Differs in the broader copper band of the hind wings, which, however, varies to a certain extent, some specimens being comparatively narrow. This is also so in

English specimens, but it is safe to say that the narrowest English specimens are narrower than the narrowest Irish, whilst the broadest Irish are broader than any English.

Underside. The main difference is found here. Ground-colour invariably greyer than English examples, which, by comparison, are of various shades of brown. The red marginal band of the hind wings much more conspicuous and of a brighter hue, always distinct, even brilliant in Irish specimens, whilst in English ones usually narrow, rather dull or obscure. A series of undersides, Irish and English, shows a marked difference in this respect, enhanced by the grey ground of the Irish examples.

♂. Holotype. Co.Kerry, May 23 - June 17, 1920. L.A.E.Sabine (Rothschild collection).

♀. Allotype. Co.Kerry, May 23 - June 17, 1920. L.A.E.Sabine (Rothschild collection).

♂. Paratypes. Co.Kildare, August 11, 1947; Co.Cork, August, 1931; Co.Cork, September, 1931; roundstone, Co.Galway, August 20, 1947. Dudley Westropp.

♀. Paratypes. Co.Kerry, August 24 - September 7, 1920. L.A.E.Sabine (Rothschild collection). Co,Cork, August, 1927. Dudley Westropp.

 
Family:LycaenidaeLeach, 1815
Subfamily:LycaeninaeLeach, 1815
Tribe:LycaeniniLeach, 1815
Genus:LycaenaFabricius, 1807
Subgenus:  
Species:phlaeas(Linnaeus, 1761)
Subspecies:eleus (Fabricius, 1798)
 hibernica Goodson, 1948

Description to be completed.

The distribution data (2000-2009) has been made available through the generosity of Butterfly Conservation and any subspecies distribution is taken from Riley (2007). Click here to see the distribution of this species together with site information overlaid.

This butterfly favours open land where nectar sources and foodplant are found. Such habitats include grassland, wasteland, heathland, old quarries, embankments, road verges and woodland rides.

Despite a long-term decline in distribution, this is still a widespread butterfly and is not currently a priority species for conservation efforts.

The table below shows the occurrence (distribution) and abundance (population) trends, using information from The State of the UK's Butterflies 2015 (Fox, 2015). Any UK BAP status is taken from the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) (2007 review).

UK BAP Status
Occurrence Change
1976-2014 (%)
Abundance Change
1976-2014 (%)
Occurrence Change
2005-2014 (%)
Abundance Change
2005-2014 (%)
Not Listed
Decrease -16Decrease -37Stable +5Decrease -19

There are typically 2 or 3 generations each year, depending on the weather, with 4 generations in extremely good years. The first adults appear from mid-April or early May, depending on season, with the last adults seen in October and, very occasionally, early November, depending on location.

Lycaena phlaeas ssp. eleus

Lycaena phlaeas ssp. hibernica

This sun-loving butterfly is often found resting on the ground, vegetation or flowers, as it absorbs the sun's rays. Males establish small territories and fly up to intercept any passing insect in the hope of intercepting a passing female. When egg-laying, females are easy to distinguish from males, as they fly low across the ground searching for suitable foodplants on which to lay. Both sexes roost head down on grass stems.

Adults feed primarily on Common Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica). buttercups (Ranunculus spp.), Daisy (Bellis perennis), dandelions (Taraxacum spp.), hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.), heathers (Calluna and Erica spp.), ragworts (Jacobaea spp.), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), thistles (Carduus spp. and Cirsium spp.) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) are also used.

Eggs are laid singly, usually on the underside of a leaf of the foodplant, those growing in full sunshine being preferred. The egg is white when first laid, gradually become grey before the larva emerges. Eggs hatch in 1 or 2 weeks.

"On August 19th, 1893, a captured female was placed on a plant of sorrel, when she soon began depositing, many eggs being laid that day. The eggs are laid singly, and firmly attached to the leaf. In captivity several were laid on each leaf, on both the upper and under surface. The egg is 0.60 mm. wide and 0.30 mm. high. It is of a compressed circular form, the micropyle is sunken, and the base is flattened; it has a bold cellular surface resembling honeycomb, but rather irregular in pattern. The cells are deeply concave; those on the crown are mostly pentagonal, and those on the sides, which are the largest, are hexagonal in shape; the basal cells are small, shallow, and very irregular; the rims of the cells are undulating, rising at each angle, and have a smooth china-like appearance; otherwise the entire surface is finely granulated. The colour is a greenish-grey white tinged with ochreous. They remain unchanged in colour. The eggs commenced hatching on August 23rd, 1893, the egg state lasting six days." - Frohawk (1924)


The larva does not eat the eggshell on emerging, but starts to feed on the underside of the leaf. As it feeds it forms characteristic grooves, in which it also rests, leaving the upper surface of the leaf intact. Each groove appears as a transparent area of the leaf when seen from above and can give the presence of a larva away to the trained eye.

Those larvae that overwinter do so in one of the first 3 instars, attached to a pad of silk on the foodplant, such as on leaf or leaf stem. There are 4, sometimes 5, instars.

The primary larval foodplants are Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and Sheep's Sorrel (Rumex acetosella). Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) is also used.

1st Instar

"The larva eats a circular hole out of the crown of the egg and emerges. It at once commences to feed on the cuticle of the under surface of the leaf, eating away a small channel just the width of its body; in this depression it rests in a straight position, exactly filling it, so that its back is on a plane with the surface of the leaf, the lateral fringe of hairs surrounding it lying flat on the surface; after making a few meals and lengthening the channel each time, it crawls out to another spot and eats out a fresh groove; this it repeats again and again, so that in a short time the leaf becomes covered with tiny channels, with only the thinnest film of the epidermis of the upper surface remaining. Directly after emergence it measures 1.1 mm. long. The body is widest at the anterior end; the first segment is flattened and projecting over the shining black and olive-ochreous head; the remaining segments are humped dorsally, excepting the last, which is flattened; the sides are sloping, and there is a dilated lateral ridge. Along the dorsal surface are two rows of very long curved pale coloured serrated hairs closely situated in pairs on each segment; they all curve backwards and are amply pectinated; they are whitish at the base, becoming browner at the tip; a sub-dorsal series of shorter and straighter hairs, and a lateral projecting fringe, extends all round the larva, composed of long white hairs, three on each of the segments excepting the first and last, each having a black wart-like base. The hairs greatly increase in front and behind, curving over the head in a long fringe as well as over the anal segment, on which the dorsal pair are of great length and perfectly white like all those composing the lateral series. The shorter sub-dorsal hairs have also black wart-like bases; a sub-dorsal series of dark brown discs; and the spiracles are black. The body is a clear pale ochreous-yellow. On August 31st the larvae were in various sizes; some freshly hatched (from eggs last deposited) to others 2.5 mm. long. When eight days old (2.5 mm. long) it is a clear ochreous-white, with the faintest green tinge. The shape now differs considerably from when first hatched; the first segment, which is large, is compressed, projecting and rounded, overlapping the head and completely covering it from view while at rest; all the remaining segments except the last are much elevated and humped dorsally; it is flattened on the sides to the lateral ridge, which is greatly dilated and overlapping the claspers. They still feed on the cuticle of the under surface of the leaves." - Frohawk (1924)

2nd Instar

"The first moult September 2nd. After first moult eighteen days old it measures 3.5 mm. long. In shape it is similar to the previous stage. The whole of the upper surface, down to the lateral ridge, is sprinkled with brownish hairs varying in length and running in longitudinal rows; some are very short; those on the dorsal area are rather the longest and curve gently backwards. There is considerable variation in the extent of colouring. Some are wholly of a uniform light yellowish-green without markings; others are darker green with a lilac-rose-pink dorsal stripe and a band of the same colour along the lateral ridge continuous round the ends; there are also indistinct sub-dorsal longitudinal lines a little darker than the ground colour. Between these two forms there is every gradation in the depth of the pink markings from the merest indications of pink down to the deep lilac-rose-pink. They continue feeding on the cuticle of the under surface of the leaves." - Frohawk (1924)

3rd Instar

"The second moult occurred on September 12th, 1893. After the second moult when twenty-six days old it is 5 mm. long. The entire upper surface is densely clothed with uniformly straight brown hairs all standing erect and not curving as in the previous stage; there are also numerous very minute white dots scattered over the surface. The segments are humped dorsally; the sides very flat, and the lateral ridge is much dilated, and the ventral surface very flat. When viewed endwise it is perfectly triangular. The head is black, blotched with pale greenish-olive and shining; it is hidden under the overlapping anterior segment. Some are uniformly clear green, with the lateral ridge paler yellowish-green; others are striped with rose-pink as in previous stage. In this stage they eat the entire substance of the leaves, thereby perforating them." - Frohawk (1924)

4th Instar

"The third moult on September 28th, 1893. After the third moult and shortly before fourth, fifty-five days old, it is 9.50 mm. long. In every respect it resembles the previous stage, excepting the colouring, which is of a more vivid green, and the hairs and white dots are more numerous and the spiracles more distinct and usually of a bright buff colour. The two forms of colouring still occur." - Frohawk (1924)

5th Instar

"Fourth moult, October 18th, 1893; when sixty-seven days old it measures 12.7 mm. in length. By the middle of October the larvae entered into hibernation, the majority then being in the third skin, i.e., after second moult. They assembled in small companies from three to six on the under side of the leaves. The two specimens figured and described were in advance of the others, especially the pink form, which fed freely during late autumn whenever the temperature was sufficiently warm, but as long as the weather continued cold and dull they both remained still, in a semi-torpid state, resting on the under side of the leaf. By the beginning of November all were in hibernation, resting on a layer of silk, spun on the stems and under surface of the leaves, to which they adhere very firmly. During hibernation the larvae become considerably contracted and arched dorsally. Several fed occasionally when the temperature rose as high as 50 degrees Fah., but some remained motionless for a very long time. One that was kept separate from the rest, which started hibernating at the end of September, remained without moving until December 9th, when the temperature rose above 50 degrees Fah. with bright sunshine. On January 21 st, 1894, the large specimen figured left its hibernaculum, a brown withered leaf, and crawled to a fresh green leaf and fed; a bright sunny day about 50 degrees Fah. On March 2nd, 1894, the large specimen was still feeding and measured 15.9 mm. long, but ceased feeding by March 7th, and roamed about for several days, and on the 14th it spun up for pupating, but did not pupate until 25th, being eleven days undergoing the transformation. The green form was fully grown on March 25th, 1894, being then 147 days old, and spun up on the 27th. When fully grown after fourth moult and after hibernation, 147 days old, it measures 15.9 mm. long. The body is very convex above, rising anteriorly to the fourth segment and sloping posteriorly; both the anterior and posterior segments are rounded, flattened and projecting, the lateral ridge dilated, and the under surface compressed so that the legs and claspers are hidden while resting; the head is completely concealed within the first segment, and only protruded while feeding and crawling. The sides are not so flattened as in the former stages. The colour is a rather deep clear green, some specimens inclining to yellowish-green. The whole of the surface is sprinkled with minute white warts (without hairs) and thickly covered with rather short fine stiff reddish-brown hairs, which appear whitish in some lights and black in others. The head is pale olive marked with black. The whole of the ventral surface is greyish-green, including the legs and claspers. The centre of the anterior segment has a dorsal depression, which is of a whitish colour. The lateral ridge is generally paler than the rest of the body. The spiracles vary from creamy-white to dull orange. Such is the description of the uniformly green form, which is the most common. Some are beautifully adorned with longitudinal stripes of pink, one medio-dorsal and one lateral; the under surface is pinkish-olive and the claspers rose-pink. Both forms of colouring occur after the first moult. The habits of the fully grown larva are the same as the earlier stages. The cast skin is not eaten after any moult." - Frohawk (1924)

The larva leaves its foodplant to pupate low down in the vegetation, such as on a dead leaf. The pupa is attached by a silk girdle and the cremaster. This stage lasts around 3 or 4 weeks.

"The pupa measures 10.5 mm. long and is stout, and dumpy in form; the head is blunt and rounded, the thorax rises to a slight dorsal angle, slightly sunken round the middle, the abdomen ample and rounded and much curved posteriorly; the wings are rather swollen at the middle and slightly project at the shoulder. The head, thorax and abdomen are sprinkled with extremely minute processes, resembling the stalk and calyx of a flower, having an expanded serrated apex. They are white and glassy. The surface is also granular. The ground colour is light ochreous-brown, finely speckled with dark amber-brown and spotted with black in longitudinal rows; a brown medio-dorsal streak runs the entire length, and a black spot is placed on each abdominal segment on the streak; the antennae and tongue blackish; legs and wings dark amber-brown; the neuration is clearly outlined with pale ochreous; the spiracles are bullish-white. The surface of the head, antenna:, legs and wings is smooth. It is attached by a silk cincture round the middle and by the cremastral hooks to a silken pad spun on the stem or leaf of the food plant. Description of the pupa when five days old. The imagines emerged during May, 1894, the pupal state lasting between twenty-five and thirty days." - Frohawk (1924)