Other Common Names
English: Small Copper, Common Copper
Danish: Lille Ildfugl
Spanish: Manto Bicolor
Portuguese: Acobreada
etc.
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
This species is in the subgenus Lycaena. [Other subgenera are often segregated as distinct genera, leaving this as one of the few "true" species of Lycaena.
Explanation of Names
The name American Copper is misleading, as there is nothing particularly American about this species. It is found across Eurasia and in mountains of northern and eastern Africa, and it bears many vernacular names depending upon the region found. It is the most widespread species of the genus Lycaena, and among the most widespread of all butterfly species.
Range
Widespread north of the deep south in eastern and boreal North America, but mostly limited to high mountain areas of the southwestern quarter. Not known from Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, or Mexico.
Internet References
Butterflies and Moths of North America live adult image, US distribution map, and species account
Butterflies of Canada pinned adult images, Canadian distribution map, and species account
