Species Details
Lycaena phlaeas
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameSmall Copper
SeasonalitySingle -brooded, most often encountered between mid July and mid August.
IdentificationNo other Alberta coppers have a metallic, coppery forewing and brown hindwing upperside with a broad orange border. Our subspecies (arethusa) differs substantially from the eastern North American (hypophlaeas) and European (nominate phlaeas) populations in habitat, appearance and ecology, and may be a distinct species.
Scientific Name
Lycaena phlaeas
Common Name
Small Copper
Habitat
Moist mountain meadows, often above tree line.
Seasonality
Single -brooded, most often encountered between mid July and mid August.
Identification
No other Alberta coppers have a metallic, coppery forewing and brown hindwing upperside with a broad orange border. Our subspecies (arethusa) differs substantially from the eastern North American (hypophlaeas) and…
No other Alberta coppers have a metallic, coppery forewing and brown hindwing upperside with a broad orange border. Our subspecies (arethusa) differs substantially from the eastern North American (hypophlaeas) and European (nominate phlaeas) populations in habitat, appearance and ecology, and may be a distinct species.
Life History
The immature stages are incompletely known. Mature larvae from the Yukon are green with a pink dorsal stripe and pink below the midline (Guppy & Shepard 2001). The egg or first instar larva overwinters (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
The immature stages are incompletely known. Mature larvae from the Yukon are green with a pink dorsal stripe and pink below the midline (Guppy & Shepard 2001). The egg or first instar larva overwinters (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Larvae feed on mountain sorrel (Oxyria digyna) in the arctic (Layberry et al. 1998).
Range
The Arctic islands south to Wyoming, with an isolated population in the Sierra Nevada of California (Opler 1999). Also widespread in eastern north America, where it may have been introduced from Fennoscandia (Layberry…
The Arctic islands south to Wyoming, with an isolated population in the Sierra Nevada of California (Opler 1999). Also widespread in eastern north America, where it may have been introduced from Fennoscandia (Layberry et al. 1998).
Citation
Page Citation for Lycaena phlaeas
Page Citation
"Species Details - Lycaena phlaeas, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2627. Accessed 19 Feb. 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
Specimen Information
There are 5 specimens of this Species.
UASM59235 - Lycaena phlaeas
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Yukon Territory, Asi Keyi Special Management Area
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2006-07-20
UASM59265 - Lycaena phlaeas
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Yukon Territory, Asi Keyi Special Management Area
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2006-07-19
UASM332512 - Lycaena phlaeas
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Yukon Territory, Ruby Range
Collected ByEgekraut, D.
Date Collected2012-08-14
BIRD38091 - Lycaena phlaeas
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Plateau Mountain
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2016-07-24
BIRD38092 - Lycaena phlaeas
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Plateau Mountain
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2016-07-24