Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Bog Copper
Lycaena epixanthe (Boisduval & Leconte, [1835])


Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Lycaeninae
Identification: Upperside of male brownish with purple iridescence; female dull gray-brown. Underside of both sexes white or pale tan; hindwing with very small black spots and red zigzag border on outer margin.
Wing Span: 7/8 - 1 inch (2.2 - 2.5 cm).
Life History: Males perch on low plants to watch for females. Eggs are laid singly at base of host plant; caterpillars feed on shoots and leaves. First-stage caterpillars overwinter in their eggs, often underwater.
Flight: One flight from June-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Shrubby cranberries in the heath family (Ericaceae).
Adult Food: Water from raindrops and nectar from cranberry flowers.
Habitat: Acid bogs with cranberries and other Ericaceae.
Range: Maine south to New Jersey and West Virginia; west through northern Great Lake states and Ontario.
Conservation: Habitat is sensitive and subject to draining or conversion to commercial use.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Conserve habitats of known populations.
Comments: NULL
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