Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

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  Sighting 1151370

Purplish Copper
Lycaena helloides

Observation date: August 29, 2011
Submitted by: Tim Shortell
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: None.
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: January 12, 2018
Coordinator notes: This one is a male Purplish Copper. The species probably should be Lycaena florus but the powers that be haven't come around to accepting the proper name for these copper butterflies found in the higher mountains of Colorado! This is near an area where more lowland Purplish Coppers mix with the higher mountain ones making "intermediate" ones between the two. The Ruddy Copper, Lycaena rubidus as you suggested on males is firery copper colored above and the females similar but lighter above, more golden-copper. Mike
Checklist region(s): Gunnison County, United States, Colorado