Great Copper
Lycaena xanthoides (Boisduval, 1852)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Lycaeninae
Identification: Gray above with orange band and black spots along edge of hindwing. Below tan with black spots. Orange trim on hind trim on hindwing.
Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 inches (3.3 - 4.4 cm).
Life History: Males perch and patrol flats and streambeds in search of receptive females.
Flight: May to mid-August, usually late May to mid-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Several dock species.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Open foothills and valleys.
Range: Southern Oregon south through westside California to extreme northern Baja California.
Conservation: None required, although range is being invaded by exotic European weeds that may reduce habitat suitability and availability. Subspecies obsolescens limited to Hunter Mountain in Death Valley National Monument is extremely limited in distribution.
NCGR: G-5. Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Subspecies obsolescens is ranked G5T1.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
Alternate Scientific Names:
Gaeides xanthoides
Pollinator Week was June 20-26, 2022!
Butterflies and moths are accidental pollinators of many flowering plants. While most species do not have special structures to carry pollen, they do brush against pollen and transfer it to other flowers.
Did you know? The Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas) flies close to the ground and uses its short proboscis to probe flowers of wild strawberry, white sweet clover, and other low-lying plants.
Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 224 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 28, 2016
Submitted by: Bdog
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 03, 2016
Observation date: Jul 03, 2016
Submitted by: guy_incognito
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 31, 2016
Observation date: Jul 03, 2016
Submitted by: guy_incognito
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 31, 2016
Observation date: Jun 10, 2016
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 21, 2016
Observation date: Jun 12, 2016
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Tulare County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 21, 2016
Observation date: May 19, 2016
Submitted by: Bdog
Region: Riverside County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 23, 2016
Observation date: Jun 06, 2015
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: San Benito County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 09, 2015
Observation date: Jun 06, 2015
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 08, 2015
Observation date: May 10, 2014
Submitted by: Josiah Gilbert
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Dec 26, 2014
Observation date: Jun 26, 2013
Submitted by: Finatic02
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Dec 18, 2014
Observation date: Jun 15, 2014
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 20, 2014
Observation date: Jun 01, 2014
Submitted by: badyak
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 02, 2014
Observation date: May 25, 2014
Submitted by: badyak
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 26, 2014
Observation date: Jun 09, 2013
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 03, 2013
Observation date: Jun 09, 2012
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Riverside County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 25, 2013
Observation date: Jun 06, 2013
Submitted by: Josiah Gilbert
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 14, 2013
Observation date: Jun 18, 2013
Submitted by: Josiah Gilbert
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 14, 2013
Observation date: May 28, 2012
Submitted by: evilrobot42
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 15, 2012
Observation date: Jun 02, 2012
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 20, 2012
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: May 30, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Kojiro Shiraiwa)
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Jun 26, 2005
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Kim Davis & Mike Stangeland)
Region: Inyo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: May 17, 1981
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (John Pasko)
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 31, 2010
Observation date: Jun 06, 2010
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Nick Lethaby)
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 31, 2010
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