Purplish Copper
Lycaena helloides (Boisduval, 1852)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Lycaeninae
Identification: Upperside of male brown with purple iridescence; female more orange. Hindwing of both sexes with broad orange band at margin.
Wing Span: 1 1/8 - 1 1/2 inches (3 - 3.8 cm).
Life History: Males perch and sometimes patrol in low spots for females. Eggs are scattered at the base of the host plant or in litter beneath it. Eggs hibernate; caterpillars feed on leaves.
Flight: Three or four flights in lower elevation California. Two flights in many areas from May-July and from August-October. One flight at high altitude and far northern habitats from July-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Knotweeds (Polygonum) and docks (Rumex) in the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae), cinquefoils in the rose family (Rosaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Disturbed areas including roadsides and open fields; wet meadows, marshes, streamsides, and valleys.
Range: Great Lakes area through the northern Midwest and northern plains to British Columbia, south to Baja California. Comments: The distinction between the Purplish Copper and the Dorcas Copper is blurred in the Rocky Mountains. These populations here are considered under the Purplish Copper.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 385 - 408 of 1262 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 15, 2012
Submitted by: davidelwonger@m...
Region: Teller County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 21, 2012
Observation date: Jul 08, 2012
Submitted by: PDunwiddie
Region: Kittitas County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 11, 2012
Observation date: Jun 24, 2012
Submitted by: Ellensburg1986
Region: Kittitas County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 03, 2012
Observation date: Jul 24, 2007
Submitted by: hjbarkey9
Region: Routt County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: May 22, 2012
Observation date: Jul 12, 2009
Submitted by: hjbarkey9
Region: Park County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: May 16, 2012
Observation date: Jul 06, 2011
Submitted by: sbouffard
Region: Jefferson County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: kent
Verified date: Apr 05, 2012
Observation date: Jun 26, 2011
Submitted by: gerryq
Region: Idaho County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: kent
Verified date: Jan 29, 2012
Observation date: Jul 27, 1977
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Michael Smith)
Region: Washoe County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Aug 14, 2011
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Johnson County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Nov 28, 2011
Observation date: Aug 10, 2011
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Crook County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Nov 27, 2011
Observation date: Aug 24, 2011
Submitted by: Jdammarell
Region: Lincoln County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 26, 2011
Observation date: Aug 20, 2011
Submitted by: Jdammarell
Region: Lincoln County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 25, 2011
Observation date: Aug 17, 2011
Submitted by: Jdammarell
Region: Lincoln County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 19, 2011
Observation date: Aug 15, 2011
Submitted by: Jdammarell
Region: Lincoln County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 18, 2011
Observation date: Jul 24, 2011
Submitted by: cpcdolan
Region: Rio Grande County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 31, 2011
Observation date: Jul 24, 2011
Submitted by: cpcdolan
Region: Rio Grande County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 31, 2011
Observation date: Sep 09, 2010
Submitted by: glocamp
Region: Anoka County, Minnesota, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: May 20, 2011
Observation date: May 24, 2008
Submitted by: Dave Kinney
Region: Wexford County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: Ranger Steve Mueller
Verified date: May 09, 2011
Observation date: Jul 03, 1998
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Reinoehl, Jack)
Region: Hillsdale County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: Ranger Steve Mueller (Steven J. Mueller)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Jul 03, 1998
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Ross, Stephen)
Region: Mecosta County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: Ranger Steve Mueller (Steven J. Mueller)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Sep 28, 2011
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Tulare County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Jul 03, 1998
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Carr, Thomas)
Region: Jackson County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: Ranger Steve Mueller (Steven J. Mueller)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Jul 03, 1998
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Craves, Julie)
Region: Presque Isle County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: Ranger Steve Mueller (Steven J. Mueller)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Jul 03, 1998
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Heuvelhorst, Bonnie with Rick & Boyne Baetsen, M. & M. Schafer)
Region: Chippewa County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: Ranger Steve Mueller (Steven J. Mueller)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
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