American Copper Lycaena phlaeas Pl. 14 7?8–11?4 in. (22–30 mm). Small. Sexes similar. Upperside: Forewing iridescent fiery red-orange; hind
American Copper Lycaena phlaeas Pl. 14 7?8–11?4 in. (22–30 mm). Small. Sexes similar. Upperside: Forewing iridescent fiery red-orange; hindwing gray with red-orange border on outer edge. Underside: Hindwing gray with small black spots and zigzag red-orange submarginal line. SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Ruddy and (2) Lustrous Coppers are similar in color but lack gray hindwing and marginal orange band. EARLY STAGES: Caterpillar varies from green to rose red; some have red stripe up middle of back. FOOD: Sheep sorrel, rarely curled dock, on plains east of Rockies; alpine sorrel in western mountains and Arctic. FLIGHT: May–Sept. (2 flights) on plains; July–Aug. (1 flight) in West and Arctic. RANGE: Holarctic. In N. Amer. probably introduced from Europe to eastern half of continent. Native populations in Arctic and western alpine habitats from Alaska, Yukon, and arctic islands south discontinuously to cen. Calif., ne. Ore., Idaho-Mont. border, cen. Utah, and nw. Wyo. HABITAT: Introduced populations in waste lots and hayfields; native western populations on tundra and roc