Lycaena arota

(Boisduval, 1852)

tailed copper

Lycaena arota, the tailed , is a North American in the Lycaenidae. It ranges from New Mexico north and west to Oregon, south to southern California and Baja California, Mexico. The has a single with active from May to August. It is commonly confused with Lycaena gorgon and Lycaena xanthoides.

Lycaena arota P1290369b by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

COPPER, TAILED (Lycaena arota) (6-17-2014) 1 mile east of fork of salmon, siskiyou co, ca (2) (14612540822) by ALAN SCHMIERER. Used under a CC0 license.

COPPER, TAILED (Lycaena arota) (8-25-11) male, 7900 ft, near monitor pass, mono co, ca - 01 (6) (9421679229) by ALAN SCHMIERER. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lycaena arota: //laɪˈsiːnə əˈroʊtə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from similar by the tail-like extensions on the hindwings. Frequently confused with Lycaena gorgon and Lycaena xanthoides; careful examination of hindwing tail presence and wing pattern is required for positive identification.

Images

Appearance

Wingspan averages 30–35 mm. The exhibits the characteristic coloration of the Lycaena. The "tailed copper" refers to the presence of tail-like extensions on the hindwings, a distinguishing feature of this species.

Distribution

North America from New Mexico north and west to Oregon, south to southern California and Baja California, Mexico.

Seasonality

are on wing from May to August in one per year.

Diet

feed on flower nectar. Larvae feed on leaves of Ribes .

Host Associations

Ribes - larval food plantlarvae feed on leaves

Life Cycle

The overwinters as an . One per year.

Similar Taxa

Lycaena gorgonCommonly confused with L. arota; distinguished by differences in wing pattern and hindwing tail
Lycaena xanthoidesCommonly confused with L. arota; distinguished by differences in wing pattern and hindwing tail

More Details

Subspecies

Four recognized: L. a. arota; L. a. virginiensis Edwards, 1870 (California, Nevada, Colorado); L. a. nubila (Comstock, 1926) (California) – clouded ; L. a. schellbachi (Tilden, 1955) (Arizona) – Schellbach's copper