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Scientific Name Lycaena rubida Common Name Ruddy Copper Habitat Prairie sand dunes, badlands and sparsely vegetated grasslands. Seasonality One brood annually, flying mostly in July. Identification

The bright, golden-brassy upperside and light grey underside with reduced or absent markings distinguish this species. The females are less metallic than the males, with well-developed submarginal and discal spots on…

The bright, golden-brassy upperside and light grey underside with reduced or absent markings distinguish this species. The females are less metallic than the males, with well-developed submarginal and discal spots on the upperside. Subspecies siria (= sirius) occurs in AB (Bird et al. 1995).

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The immature stages of Canadian populations are undescribed; in the US, larvae are brown with a yellow-edged, dark red dorsal stripe (Scott 1986). Adult males are territorial, and vigorously chase other butterflies (Bird…

The immature stages of Canadian populations are undescribed; in the US, larvae are brown with a yellow-edged, dark red dorsal stripe (Scott 1986). Adult males are territorial, and vigorously chase other butterflies (Bird et al. 1995).

Read More + Conservation Occurs locally in specialized habitats; of limited distribution in Canada. Diet Info The larval foodplant is unconfirmed in Canada, but adults are associated with Sand Dock (Rumex venosus) in Saskatchewan (Hooper 1973). Adults nectar at sunflowers (Helianthus) (Bird et al. 1995). Range

In Canada, the Ruddy Copper is found only in the arid grasslands of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan (Layberry et al. 1998). It ranges south through the Great Plains to New Mexico, west to California and southeast…

In Canada, the Ruddy Copper is found only in the arid grasslands of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan (Layberry et al. 1998). It ranges south through the Great Plains to New Mexico, west to California and southeast Washington state (Opler 1999).

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