Absolutely — here is a fresh, updated deep overview of the Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas).

🦋 Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

🔹 Taxonomy

• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks)
• Genus: Lycaena
• Species: L. phlaeas

🌍 Distribution & Range

One of the most widespread coppers in the world:

• Europe — abundant almost everywhere
• North Africa and Middle East
• Across temperate Asia to Japan
• Introduced to North America, locally established
• Present even in subarctic and high-altitude meadows

Extremely adaptable → thrives in disturbed or urban areas.

🏞️ Habitat

A species of sunny, open places:

• Dry grasslands and heaths
• Road verges, field margins, wasteland
• Coastal dunes
• Brownfield and post-industrial sites
• Garden edges with sorrel present

Key requirement: Host plants in the Rumex genus (usually small sorrels).

✨ Identification

Wingspan: 22–30 mm → small, but brilliantly vivid.

Upperside:

• Bright copper-orange forewings
• Distinct black spots and dark border
• Hindwings dark brown with narrow orange margin

Underside:

• Muted beige–grey, fine dark spotting
• Helps camouflage when wings are closed

Sexes similar → males slightly smaller and more territorial.

🌱 Diet & Host Plants

Larval food plants:

Almost always sorrels (Rumex):

• Sheep’s sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
• Common sorrel (R. acetosa)
• Occasionally dock species (Rumex obtusifolius, R. crispus)

Adult nectar:

• Dandelions
• Thyme, clover, ragwort
• Bird’s-foot trefoil
• Heathers in heathlands

Often first and last butterflies of the season nectaring on short flowers.

🔄 Life Cycle

Highly flexible depending on climate:

• Eggs: laid singly on sorrel leaves or nearby vegetation
• Larvae: green with fine pale lines; feed low to the ground
• Pupation: often on plant stems or leaf litter
• Overwintering: as larvae in cool regions

Very fast breeder → population spikes possible in warm years.

🧠 Behavior & Ecology

• Strong territorial males: chase almost anything in flight
• Rapid, low darting flight close to ground
• Will bask with wings wide open on bare ground or stones
• Often one of the most visible coppers in human-modified landscapes

🧩 Subspecies & Variation

Many regional forms — over 30 described subspecies.
Differences include:

• Width of dark borders
• Size of orange hindwing band
• Spot patterns

Local adaptation to climate and host plant availability is strong.

🌿 Conservation Status

• Generally common and stable
• Benefited by:
  • Light disturbance
  • Short vegetation
  • Abundant sorrels

Threats:

• Overintensive agriculture reducing sorrel patches
• Heavy pesticide use
• Scrub overgrowth in unmanaged meadows

Still one of the most resilient small butterflies in Europe.

✅ Quick Summary

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