American Copper
Lycaena hypophlaeas
Male American Coppers are highly aggressive and territorial; they will dart out to chase away any flying insect that enters their airspace, including much larger butterflies and bees.
- Scientific name
- Lycaena hypophlaeas
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Lycaenidae › Lycaena
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Disturbed soils, pastures, fields, roadsides, and vacant lots containing weedy sorrel plants.
- Diet
- Caterpillars feed on sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) and curly dock. Adults drink nectar from clover, buttercups, and yarrow.
- Range
- North America, United States, Canada
- Size
- Wingspan of 2.2 to 3.2 cm (0.87 to 1.25 inches).
- Lifespan
- 1 to 2 weeks as an adult; approximately 1 year total life cycle.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Widespread herbicide use that destroys their larval host plants, and urban sprawl.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. You can safely observe this small butterfly from a few feet away as it perches on low vegetation. They do not bite or sting. Avoid capturing or touching them, as rubbing the delicate scales off their wings can impair their ability to fly.
Photo: Doug Brush, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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