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Species Details
Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameBronze Copper
SeasonalityOne annual brood, the flight peaking in mid July to early August.
IdentificationThe large size (wingspan generally 30 to 38 mm) and bright orange, black-spotted forewing underside will distinguish the Bronze from other coppers. There are no named subspecies.
Scientific Name
Lycaena hyllus
Common Name
Bronze Copper
Habitat
Wetland edges, moist meadows, and sedge fens where dock (Rumex) grows.
Seasonality
One annual brood, the flight peaking in mid July to early August.
Identification
The large size (wingspan generally 30 to 38 mm) and bright orange, black-spotted forewing underside will distinguish the Bronze from other coppers. There are no named subspecies.
Life History
The eggs, which hibernate, are white or greenish white (Scott 1986). The larva is yellowish green with a dark dorsal stripe (Layberry et al. 1998), and pupae are light brown with dark dots (Scott 1986). The adults…
The eggs, which hibernate, are white or greenish white (Scott 1986). The larva is yellowish green with a dark dorsal stripe (Layberry et al. 1998), and pupae are light brown with dark dots (Scott 1986). The adults perch on tall grasses and sedges (males wait for females), and colonies tend to be localized in distribution.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
The larvae feed on a number of species of dock (Rumex spp.), and are usually associated with Rumex crispus, and possibly also feed on smartweed (Polygonum coccineum) (Bird et al. 1995).
Range
Occurs from the southwestern Northwest Territories south to New Mexico and Oklahoma, east to the Atlantic seaboard. Absent from the western Mountains (Opler 1999).
Citation
Page Citation for Lycaena hyllus
Page Citation
"Species Details - Lycaena hyllus, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2625/9-17909. Accessed 25 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
Layberry, Ross A.; Hall, Peter W. and J. Donald LaFontaine
Title
The Butterflies of Canada
Publication Date
1998
Pages
280
Author
Scott, J. A.
Title
The Butterflies of North America : a natural history and field guide
Publication Date
1986
Pages
583 pp.
Specimen Information
There are 22 specimens of this Species.
UASM163 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1926-07-10
UASM164 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1915-07-18
UASM165 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-08-10
UASM166 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1940-07-31
UASM167 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1940-07-31
UASM168 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1905-07-28
UASM169 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1922-07-25
UASM170 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1906-07-26
UASM343 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1913-08-23
UASM344 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cooking Lake
Date Collected1916-08-21
UASM345 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bilby
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1926-07-10
UASM346 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bilby
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1926-07-10
UASM20994 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pine Creek
Collected ByWolley-Dod, Frederic H.
Date Collected1894-07-15
UASM20995 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pine Creek
Collected ByWolley-Dod, Frederic H.
Date Collected1894-07-16
UASM20996 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bilby
Collected ByBryant, Owen
Date Collected1924-07-16
UASM20997 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1916-08-12
UASM20998 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Highland Park Mountain, Michigan
Date Collected1908-07-04
UASM25130 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Carseland
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1982-07-23
UASM25131 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Carseland
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1982-07-23
UASM25132 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cochrane
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1985-07-21
BIRD6183 - Lycaena hyllus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Alix Lake
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-07-22