Lycaena hyllus

(Cramer, 1775)

bronze copper

Lycaena hyllus, the bronze , is a North American lycaenid with distinctive bronze and golden wing markings. The ranges widely across western and eastern North America, from Alberta to the Atlantic coast. Larvae feed on Polygonaceae plants including docks and water smartweeds, while nectar on flowers such as blackberry and red clover. The species is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut.

Lycaena hyllus m by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Lycaena hyllus f by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Bronze Copper butterfly (Lycaena hyllus) - 26922333354 by Wildreturn. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lycaena hyllus: //laɪˈsiːnə ˈhɪləs//

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Identification

Distinguished from similar coppers by the combination of brown upperside with golden zig-zag hindwing borders and white underside with orange underlay. Females are identifiable by lighter forewing patches with dark spotting. Similar in range to Lycaena heteronea in Alberta, but differs in wing pattern details.

Images

Appearance

Wingspan 23–38 mm. Upperside brown with golden zig-zag borders along hindwing margins. Females have lighter forewing areas containing several dark spots. Underside primarily white with dark spots and underlying orange areas.

Habitat

Associated with wetland and riparian areas where plants of Polygonaceae occur, including water dock and curled dock .

Distribution

Widespread across North America from Alberta and northern Nevada westward through to the east coasts of Canada and the United States. Present in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan in Canada.

Diet

Larvae feed on plants of Polygonaceae: water dock (Rumex hydrolapathum), curled dock (Rumex crispus), and Persicaria amphibia. have been observed feeding on blackberry (Rubus) and red clover (Trifolium pratense).

Host Associations

  • Rumex hydrolapathum - larval water dock
  • Rumex crispus - larval curled dock
  • Persicaria amphibia - larval water smartweed

Human Relevance

Listed as a of special concern in the US state of Connecticut.

Similar Taxa

  • Lycaena heteroneaOverlapping range in Alberta, distinguished by wing pattern differences

More Details

Conservation status

Listed as of special concern in Connecticut

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Sources and further reading