Species Lycaena phlaeas - American Copper - Hodges#4251

Classification · Hodges Number · Other Common Names · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Range · Internet References

American Copper - larva - Lycaena phlaeas

eastern American Copper? - Lycaena phlaeas

2 butterflies mating on coneflower - Lycaena phlaeas - male - female

Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Papilionoidea (Butterflies and Skippers)

Family Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters)

Subfamily Lycaeninae (Coppers)

Genus Lycaena

Species phlaeas (American Copper - Hodges#4251)

Hodges Number

4251

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

ADW

Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 May, 2004 - 7:31pm
Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason, Steve Nanz, Beatriz Moisset, Robin McLeod, David Ferguson
Last updated 31 July, 2018 - 8:37am

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