Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Edith's Copper
Lycaena editha (Mead, 1878)


Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Lycaeninae
Identification: Upperside dark gray sometimes with minute tails on hindwing. Underside pale gray with complex pattern of black dots and swirls.
Wing Span: 7/8 to 1 1/4 inches (2.2 - 3.0 cm).
Life History: Males perch and patrol openings.
Flight: One flight from late June to August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various docks (Rumex) and knotweeds (Polygonum).
Adult Food: Flower nectar including goldenrods, sulphur-flower, and white yarrow.
Habitat: Openings in lodgepole pine and other forests, sagebrush flats, and meadows.
Range: Idaho and western Montana south to California\'s Sierra Nevada, northern Utah, and northern Colorado.
Conservation: None needed, although habitats are being invade by weedy alien plants such as smooth brome. Extent of invasion is unknown. Subspecies
NCGR: G-5, Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
Get your BAMONA Gear!

Hoodies and t-shirts in two designs!


Advertise with us!

Do you have a product or service that you think would interest BAMONA users? If you would like to advertise on this website, contact us by email, or use the contact form and select the "Advertising" category.