Observation date: July 25, 2024
Submitted by: John Gibbons
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Note the apparent size difference - is this normal variation or is the one on the right possibly a Bog Copper?
Status: Resident
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: July 26, 2024
Coordinator notes: The one on the left (the larger one) is Lycaena dorcas. And yes, the one on the right could be Lycaena epixanthe, although I'm not quite certain. Jeff, if you see this, would you please weigh in? You know these better than I do. Thanks - Jim Rains.
Hi John and Jim, I'm labeling the individual on the left for the official ID, since I already approved two Bog Coppers from John from the same site. You're correct - there's a female of each species here. A female Dorcas Copper on the left, and a female Bog Copper on the right. This is an excellent example of the drastic size difference between the two species! I've actually never seen a photo with the two species together for comparison. -jmgesell
