Species Details
Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NamePurplish Copper
SeasonalityTwo broods per year, flying mid to late June and again in August.
IdentificationThe Purplish and Dorcas Coppers can be difficult to distinguish; The Dorcas Copper is slightly smaller, usually with a wingspan of 25 mm or more (23 to 33 mm). The orange band on the hindwing upperside is reduced in Dorcas, and the dark border of the forewing is wider. The forewing shape is not as pointed a sit is in helloides. Females of helloides have more orange on the upperside.
Scientific Name
Lycaena helloides
Common Name
Purplish Copper
Habitat
Moist meadows, wetland edges and weedy places where docks (Rumex) grow.
Seasonality
Two broods per year, flying mid to late June and again in August.
Identification
The Purplish and Dorcas Coppers can be difficult to distinguish; The Dorcas Copper is slightly smaller, usually with a wingspan of 25 mm or more (23 to 33 mm). The orange band on the hindwing upperside is reduced in…
The Purplish and Dorcas Coppers can be difficult to distinguish; The Dorcas Copper is slightly smaller, usually with a wingspan of 25 mm or more (23 to 33 mm). The orange band on the hindwing upperside is reduced in Dorcas, and the dark border of the forewing is wider. The forewing shape is not as pointed a sit is in helloides. Females of helloides have more orange on the upperside.
Life History
The egg is white and round, the top and bottom slightly flattened; it is the overwintering stage of the second generation (Guppy & Shepard 2001). The mature larva is apple green with a yellow lateral line and light…
The egg is white and round, the top and bottom slightly flattened; it is the overwintering stage of the second generation (Guppy & Shepard 2001). The mature larva is apple green with a yellow lateral line and light brown head. The pupa is initially green, turning brown as it ages (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
The larvae feed on docks (Rumex spp.) and knotweed (Polygonum spp.), both member of the family Polygonaceae (Layberry et al. 1998). Adults mud-puddle and visit flowers (Hooper 1973).
Range
Southern Ontario west to southern BC, south to Californnia, New Mexico and the western Great Lakes States (Opler 1999).
Citation
Page Citation for Lycaena helloides
Page Citation
"Species Details - Lycaena helloides, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2623. Accessed 13 Apr. 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
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
Author
Hooper, R.R.
Title
The Butterflies of Saskatchewan
Publication Date
1973
Pages
216 pp.
Specimen Information
There are 40 specimens of this Species.
UASM21017 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-24
UASM21018 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1924-06-17
UASM21019 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-24
UASM21020 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1915-06-23
UASM21021 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-25
UASM21022 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1913-08-23
UASM21023 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-25
UASM21024 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-24
UASM21025 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1914-08-18
UASM21026 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cypress Hills
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1945-06-24
UASM21027 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1923-06-25
UASM21028 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1915-06-07
UASM21029 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lamont
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1913-06-19
UASM21030 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1915-08-21
UASM21031 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1922-06-25
UASM21032 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Date Collected1922-06-19
UASM21033 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1915-06-23
UASM21034 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Blackfalds
UASM21035 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1920-09-14
UASM21036 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1926-08-12
UASM21037 - Lycaena helloides
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1926-08-12