Small Copper

Lycaenidae
FamilyLycaenidae
Scientific NameLycaena phlaeas
RangeEurope, Asia, North Africa, North America
HabitatGrassland, heathland

About the Small Copper

A small but brilliant butterfly with fiery copper-orange forewings edged and spotted with black. Males are very territorial and dart out from a perch to chase away other insects, even much larger ones. Caterpillars feed on sorrels and docks. It has several broods each year and is widespread across the Northern Hemisphere.

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