Mariposa Copper
Lycaena mariposa (Reakirt, 1866)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Lycaeninae
Identification: Upperside of male iridescent purple with black borders and pale markings; female yellow-orange with more distinctive markings. Underside hindwing of both sexes is mottled gray.
Wing Span: 1 1/8 - 1 1/4 inches (2.9 - 3.2 cm).
Life History: Males perch in low spots to watch for females.
Flight: One flight from July-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Vaccinium arbuscula in California, and other plants of the heath family (Ericaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Forest openings and bogs where host plants grow.
Range: Southern Alaska south along the Rocky Mountains to Wyoming; Washington, central Oregon, northeastern California.
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.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 224 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 21, 2018
Submitted by: Scott Burgess
Region: Humboldt County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 29, 2019
Observation date: Jul 13, 2005
Submitted by: hydapse
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Feb 12, 2019
Observation date: Jun 26, 2018
Submitted by: mbalame99
Region: Clatsop County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 10, 2018
Observation date: Sep 06, 2018
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: King County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 06, 2018
Observation date: Sep 02, 2018
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 03, 2018
Observation date: Aug 28, 2018
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 01, 2018
Observation date: Aug 16, 2018
Submitted by: N_Santill
Region: Snohomish County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 30, 2018
Observation date: Aug 18, 2018
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 18, 2018
Observation date: Jul 28, 2018
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 28, 2018
Observation date: Jul 25, 2018
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Hood River County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 26, 2018
Observation date: Jul 12, 2018
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Sierra County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 19, 2018
Observation date: Aug 25, 2017
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 06, 2017
Observation date: Aug 16, 2017
Submitted by: ryDLar
Region: Clackamas County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 18, 2017
Observation date: Jul 28, 2017
Submitted by: dsperanza
Region: Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 31, 2017
Observation date: Jul 22, 2008
Submitted by: hydapse
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Sep 20, 2016
Observation date: Aug 29, 2016
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 31, 2016
Observation date: Aug 29, 2016
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 31, 2016
Observation date: Jul 01, 2015
Submitted by: M Kuhlman
Region: Missoula County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Apr 07, 2016
Observation date: Jul 16, 2015
Submitted by: bobscafe
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Feb 11, 2016
Observation date: Aug 16, 2015
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jan 08, 2016
Observation date: Aug 17, 2015
Submitted by: PDunwiddie
Region: Okanogan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 27, 2015
Observation date: Jul 31, 2015
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Aug 16, 2015
Observation date: Jul 10, 2015
Submitted by: mcash70
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Aug 16, 2015
Observation date: Jul 16, 2015
Submitted by: bobscafe
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Aug 15, 2015
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