Purplish Copper
Lycaena helloides (Boisduval, 1852)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Lycaeninae
Identification: Upperside of male brown with purple iridescence; female more orange. Hindwing of both sexes with broad orange band at margin.
Wing Span: 1 1/8 - 1 1/2 inches (3 - 3.8 cm).
Life History: Males perch and sometimes patrol in low spots for females. Eggs are scattered at the base of the host plant or in litter beneath it. Eggs hibernate; caterpillars feed on leaves.
Flight: Three or four flights in lower elevation California. Two flights in many areas from May-July and from August-October. One flight at high altitude and far northern habitats from July-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Knotweeds (Polygonum) and docks (Rumex) in the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae), cinquefoils in the rose family (Rosaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Disturbed areas including roadsides and open fields; wet meadows, marshes, streamsides, and valleys.
Range: Great Lakes area through the northern Midwest and northern plains to British Columbia, south to Baja California. Comments: The distinction between the Purplish Copper and the Dorcas Copper is blurred in the Rocky Mountains. These populations here are considered under the Purplish Copper.
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.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 1233 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 07, 2012
Submitted by: papilio1
Region: Washoe County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 28, 2024
Observation date: Jun 20, 1983
Submitted by: papilio1
Region: Tehama County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 28, 2024
Observation date: Sep 08, 2024
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Grand County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 25, 2024
Observation date: Aug 20, 2024
Submitted by: jthompson6112
Region: Blaine County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Sep 20, 2024
Observation date: Aug 16, 2024
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Sep 12, 2024
Observation date: Aug 31, 2024
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 03, 2024
Observation date: Aug 24, 2024
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 03, 2024
Observation date: Jul 28, 2024
Submitted by: DeepSkyKelly
Region: Huerfano County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Aug 29, 2024
Observation date: Jul 20, 2024
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 21, 2024
Observation date: Jul 03, 2024
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Mono County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 19, 2024
Observation date: Jul 19, 2024
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Rich County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 13, 2024
Observation date: Aug 08, 2024
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 09, 2024
Observation date: Jun 21, 2024
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Grand County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 22, 2024
Observation date: Jun 20, 2024
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Grand County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 22, 2024
Observation date: Jul 03, 2024
Submitted by: topper72
Region: Colfax County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 10, 2024
Observation date: Jul 02, 2024
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Klamath County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 04, 2024
Observation date: Jun 26, 2024
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 03, 2024
Observation date: Jun 18, 2024
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 03, 2024
Observation date: Jun 01, 2024
Submitted by: camflies
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 08, 2024
Observation date: May 28, 2024
Submitted by: mbfurr
Region: Harney County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 06, 2024
Observation date: May 09, 2024
Submitted by: Team Kweeper
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 16, 2024
Observation date: Sep 16, 2023
Submitted by: terrymortier
Region: Burnett County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Mar 05, 2024
Observation date: Jul 18, 2023
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Conejos County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Feb 19, 2024
Observation date: Sep 30, 2023
Submitted by: sgguthart
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Feb 19, 2024
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