Copper Butterflies (Lycaeninae)

Copper Butterflies (Lycaeninae) Edith's Copper Lilac-bordered Copper Mariposa Copper Purplish Copper Tailed Copper Blues Hairstreaks Butterfly Pictures and Information

Copper butterflies belong to a subfamily (Lycaeninae) of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, the same family that includes blues and hairstreaks.

Of the sixteen species regularly found in the United States, all but four are Western species.

Identifying coppers can sometimes be a bit tricky because they often live in areas with species of blue butterflies. From a distance, coppers might be confused with many of the female blue species that have patterned, brown top color wings.

As the name suggests, most coppers have top wings with an orange or copper shade. The Blue Copper would be the general exception to the rule.

Accurate identificaion requires a view of the underside of the wings. Often coppers nectar with their wings folded, so getting a side view picture is not especially dificult.

Please click on a link in the box on the right to learn more about a particular species.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels