Purplish Copper
Lycaena helloides
Description 1-1 1/4" (25-32 mm). Above, male dull copper-brown with purplish reflections and scattered black spots; HW with usually prominent submarginal orange crescents; margins of both wings narrowly darkened. Above, female orange to tawny with brown shading, brown margins and heavier dark spots; orange crescents on HW more prominent. Below, both sexes have ocherous FW with black spots; HW dull pinkish-tan to grayish-tan with fine
black spots and scalloped red submarginal band.
Similar Species Nivalis Copper has 2-toned HW beneath. Bog Copper smaller and darker above, white to yellowish beneath. Dorcas Copper usually darker above and with less prominent red line on HW beneath (Rocky Mountain populations indistinguishable from this species).
Life Cycle Egg whitish. Mature caterpillar grass-green with yellow stripes longitudinally on back and sides and also obliquely on sides; feeds mainly on plants in the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae), such as docks, sorrels, knotweeds (Rumex and Polygonum), but some specialists have observed use of cinquefoil (Potentilla) as host plant. Stubby, greenish-gray chrysalis marked with gray and brown.
Flight Multiple broods; most of year in s. California, May-September (mostly July-August) farther north.
Habitat Sea level to over 10,000' (3050 m) in a wide variety of habitats: urban weed fields, tidal marshes, mountain canyons; often in conjunction with moist areas.
Range Pacific Coast from s. Canada to Mexico east to Great Lakes region of s. Canada, Michigan, Illinois, w. Kansas, and New Mexico.
Discussion This most common California copper becomes less prevalent farther east, often consorting with other coppers. In the Rocky Mountains, especially at higher elevations, the Purplish Copper is very similar in appearance to the Dorcas Copper, and in this area the 2 species cannot be distinguished by most experts unless their natural
host plants are known. There is speculation that they may be forms of the same species. The Purplish Copper, along with the Mylitta Crescentspot and the introduced Cabbage White, flies in many parts of the Northwest otherwise nearly devoid of butterflies. Hardier than their size suggests, these butterflies persist late into autumn.
Source
