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Species Details
Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameGrey Copper
SeasonalityThe singly yearly flight occurs between late June and early September, peaking in mid July.
IdentificationThis is one of only two coppers in the province that have a predominantly grey upperside; the other large, grey copper is Edith's (L. editha), which differs in having more irregularly-shaped underside spots, giving it a splotchy appearance. It is not known if Edith's Copper still occurs in Alberta (see species account for L. editha).
Scientific Name
Lycaena dione
Common Name
Grey Copper
Habitat
Wetland edges, moist meadows and weedy, disturbed areas where dock (Rumex) grows.
Seasonality
The singly yearly flight occurs between late June and early September, peaking in mid July.
Identification
This is one of only two coppers in the province that have a predominantly grey upperside; the other large, grey copper is Edith's (L. editha), which differs in having more irregularly-shaped underside spots, giving it a…
This is one of only two coppers in the province that have a predominantly grey upperside; the other large, grey copper is Edith's (L. editha), which differs in having more irregularly-shaped underside spots, giving it a splotchy appearance. It is not known if Edith's Copper still occurs in Alberta (see species account for L. editha).
Life History
Eggs are laid on the leaf underside of the foodplant, and, the larva is green with a dark green or reddish dorsal stripe when mature (Opler & Krizek 1984). Males will chase other passing butterflies (Bird et al. 1995).
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
The larvae feed on docks (Rumex crispus, R. occidentalis) on the Canadian prairies (Layberry et al. 1998). Adults nectar at thistles (Cirsium spp.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and yellow sweet clover (Melilotis sp.)…
The larvae feed on docks (Rumex crispus, R. occidentalis) on the Canadian prairies (Layberry et al. 1998). Adults nectar at thistles (Cirsium spp.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and yellow sweet clover (Melilotis sp.) (Hooper 1973, Bird et al. 1995, Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Range
A species of the Great Plains, ranging from the southern Prairie Provinces and extreme western Ontario south to Texas and east to Illinois and Missouri (Opler 1999). A disjunct population occurs in the Columbia Valley…
A species of the Great Plains, ranging from the southern Prairie Provinces and extreme western Ontario south to Texas and east to Illinois and Missouri (Opler 1999). A disjunct population occurs in the Columbia Valley region of southern BC (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Citation
Page Citation for Lycaena dione
Page Citation
"Species Details - Lycaena dione, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2620/9-17902. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
References
Author
Opler, Paul A.
Title
A field guide to western butterflies.
Publication Date
1999
Pages
540
Author
Bird, C. D., G.J. Hilchie, N.G. Kondla, E.M. Pike and F. A. H. Sperling
Title
Alberta Butterflies
Publication Date
1995
Pages
349
Author
Opler, P. A. and G. O. Grizek
Title
Butterflies East of the Great Plains : An Illustrated Natural History.
Publication Date
1984
Author
Guppy, Crispin S. and Jon H. Shepard
Title
Butterflies of British Columbia.
Publication Date
2001
Pages
414
Author
Layberry, Ross A.; Hall, Peter W. and J. Donald LaFontaine
Title
The Butterflies of Canada
Publication Date
1998
Pages
280
Specimen Information
There are 19 specimens of this Species.
UASM153 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-08-10
UASM154 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-08-10
UASM155 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-08-10
UASM156 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-07-30
UASM157 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-08-10
UASM158 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-07-30
UASM159 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-07-30
UASM160 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-08-10
UASM161 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1920-08-09
UASM162 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Medicine Hat
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-07-18
UASM347 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByGray, Harold E.
Date Collected1923-06-19
UASM361 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1967-07-29
UASM362 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1967-07-29
UASM20989 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected BySalt, George
Date Collected1919-07-22
UASM20990 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected BySalt, George
Date Collected1919-07-22
UASM20991 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected BySalt, George
Date Collected1919-07-21
UASM20992 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected BySalt, George
Date Collected1919-07-15
UASM25133 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Brooks
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected2000-07-12
UASM25134 - Lycaena dione
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer River
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1985-07-10