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Species Detail
Gray Copper
Lycaena dione (Scudder, 1868)
Attributes of Lycaena dioneFamily: Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Lycaenidae) Subfamily: Coppers (Lycaeninae) Identification: Dark gray above with 2 black spots on forewing. Outer edge of hindwing with pale orange and black band. Below, wings pale gray with black spots. Outer hindwing band repeated. Life history: Male perch and patrol periodically in search of receptive females. Flight: One flight from mid-June to July, rarely August. Wing span: 1 1/3 - 1 ½ inches (2.4 - 3.8 cm). Caterpillar hosts: Several species of docks (Rumex). Adult food: Flower nectar of various plants including alfalfa, sweet clover, and milkweeds. Habitat: Relatively flat open areas including prairies, waste fields, stream beds, edges of reservoirs. Range: Southern Canadian prairie provinces south through Great Plains to southern Missouri, Oklahoma, and northern Texas. Conservation: None reported. Host plants adapted to weedy conditions. Butterflies seem to adapt to wide range of conditions. NatureServe Global Status: G5. Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery Management needs: None reported. | Documented Records for Lycaena dione
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