Bronze Copper
Lycaena hyllus
Description 1 1/4-1 3/8" (32-35 mm). Large. Male above dark copper-brown with violet sheen on FW; shiny gray with orange margin on HW. Female above bright orange to yellowish with dark spots and margin on FW; HW dark gray with dark spots and prominent orange or yellowish HW margin. Below both sexes have FW bright orange with
black spots and often gray margins; HW bluish-white to gray with small black spots and prominent fiery orange margin.
Similar Species Purplish and Dorcas coppers smaller, less prominent zigzag on HW below.
Life Cycle Host plants are various docks, especially curly dock (Rumex crispus) and knotweeds (Polygonum). Mature caterpillar is bright yellowish-green with dark line down back.
Flight Mostly 2 broods; June-July, August-October, possibly a 3rd brood in some areas. 1 brood in Colorado; June-July.
Habitat Strongly restricted to vicinity of host plants; moist areas such as grassy and sedgy margins of wet meadows, swamps, small streams, roadside ditches, and even salt marsh edges.
Range Northwest Territories east through Great Lakes of Canada to Maine; south to S. Alberta, E. Idaho, E. Colorado, Kansas, Ohio, Maryland, and N. New Jersey; also Mississippi.
Discussion The beautiful Bronze Copper is most common in the East, becoming more local to the West. Even there it can be common in its restricted habitat, perching on grasses and sedges, often remaining still until disturbed, and seldom visiting flowers. Previously known as Kycaena thoe.
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