Lycaena dione

Scudder, 1868

grey copper, great copper

Lycaena dione, commonly known as the grey or great copper, is a in the . First described by Samuel Hubbard Scudder in 1868, this species is distributed across central North America from southern Canada to Texas. are active from mid-June through July or August, with a wingspan ranging from 24 to 38 mm. The species is sometimes treated as a of Lycaena xanthoides, reflecting ongoing taxonomic debate.

Gray copper butterfly insect lycaenidae dione by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Used under a Public domain license.

Lycaena dione by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Used under a Public domain license.

Lycaena dione1 by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lycaena dione: /lɪˈsiːnə ˈdaɪoʊni/

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

Identification

Distinguished from other North by its greyish coloration and distribution in the Great Plains region. May be difficult to separate from Lycaena xanthoides, with which it has been synonymized by some authorities; the two require careful examination of or molecular analysis for definitive identification.

Images

Appearance

Wingspan 24–38 mm. exhibit coloration typical of the , with greyish tones distinguishing this . Specific pattern details are not well documented in available sources.

Habitat

Open grassland and prairie , particularly in association with its larval plants. Occurs in agricultural landscapes and natural grasslands where Rumex grow.

Distribution

North America: southern Prairie provinces of Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba), western Ontario, south to Texas, east to Illinois and Missouri. Disjunct in southern British Columbia. Remnant population documented in Willamette Valley, Oregon as of 2004.

Seasonality

active from mid-June to July or August. Single brooded or with limited second in southern portions of range.

Diet

feed on nectar of Cirsium (thistles), Medicago sativa (alfalfa), Grindelia (gumweeds), and Melilotus species (sweet clovers). feed on Rumex salicifolius (willow dock), Rumex crispus (curly dock), and Rumex occidentalis (western dock).

Host Associations

Rumex salicifolius - larval willow dock
Rumex crispus - larval curly dock
Rumex occidentalis - larval western dock
Cirsium - nectar sourcethistles
Medicago sativa - nectar sourcealfalfa
Grindelia - nectar sourcegumweeds
Melilotus - nectar sourcesweet clovers

Life Cycle

with , , , and stages. Larvae feed on Rumex . Specific details of site and stage not documented in available sources.

Ecological Role

function as when nectaring on flowers. are on dock (Rumex). Serves as an for grassland health in prairie .

Human Relevance

Subject to long-term as part of efforts. Listed among declining butterfly in western North studies. Agricultural intensification and loss in prairie regions have been identified as threats.

Similar Taxa

Lycaena xanthoidesSometimes treated as ; requires careful examination for separation
Lycaena phlaeasSimilar coloration but smaller size and different distribution

More Details

Taxonomic status

The is sometimes treated as a of Lycaena xanthoides, reflecting historical taxonomic uncertainty. The two may represent a requiring further study.

Conservation status

Documented as declining in parts of its range. A remnant in Oregon's Willamette Valley was noted in 2004, suggesting potential range contraction.