Coppers (Subfamily Lycaeninae)

SUBFAMILY DESCRIPTION: Coppers are members of the Family
Lycaenidae. They are found in sunny, open habitats throughout the
temperate zone, with 50 species found in Eurasia and North America.
One isolated species lives on volcanoes in Guatemala, and a few species
live in New Guinea, New Zealand, and northern Africa. No species are
known migrants, but several are local colonists. Coppers typically have
upper wing surfaces that are iridescent purple or red-orange, but some
North American species are blue, brown, or gray. Males perch and
interact with other males while awaiting receptive females. Most species
have a single brood and overwinter as eggs or as first instar caterpillars
within the egg. The caterpillars feed on leaves of host plants, which in
North America are docks, knotweeds, buckwheats, cinquefoils,
gooseberries, currants, or redberry.

Back to Inventory of Butterfly Families and Species