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 25 - 48 of 1233 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 17, 2023
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Rio Grande County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jan 28, 2024
Observation date: Jul 14, 2023
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Conejos County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jan 28, 2024
Observation date: Sep 04, 2023
Submitted by: rbuist
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Dec 09, 2023
Observation date: Sep 18, 2023
Submitted by: Nelson Mostow
Region: Routt County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Nov 08, 2023
Observation date: Nov 06, 2023
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 08, 2023
Observation date: Aug 26, 2023
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Nov 06, 2023
Observation date: Oct 17, 2023
Submitted by: Martin Neil UK
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 24, 2023
Observation date: Oct 17, 2023
Submitted by: Dobber31
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 19, 2023
Observation date: Jul 09, 2023
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Eagle County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Oct 15, 2023
Observation date: Oct 11, 2023
Submitted by: sarabseth
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 11, 2023
Observation date: Oct 11, 2023
Submitted by: sarabseth
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 11, 2023
Observation date: Oct 06, 2023
Submitted by: frogbandit
Region: Spokane County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Oct 09, 2023
Observation date: Sep 08, 2023
Submitted by: Bob Jacobson
Region: Chippewa County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Oct 08, 2023
Observation date: Aug 07, 2017
Submitted by: dingoqueen
Region: Weber County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Sep 18, 2023
Observation date: Aug 18, 2020
Submitted by: Robb Hannawacker
Region: San Juan County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Sep 18, 2023
Observation date: Aug 06, 2017
Submitted by: dingoqueen
Region: Weber County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Sep 18, 2023
Observation date: Jun 06, 2013
Submitted by: rcmarx
Region: Rich County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Sep 18, 2023
Observation date: Sep 15, 2023
Submitted by: Dobber31
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 16, 2023
Observation date: Jul 18, 2023
Submitted by: Paul C. Agidius
Region: Latah County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Sep 12, 2023
Observation date: Sep 03, 2016
Submitted by: Beth Polvino
Region: Harney County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 10, 2023
Observation date: Jul 12, 2023
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Park County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 10, 2023
Observation date: Sep 06, 2023
Submitted by: kjaldridge
Region: Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Sep 08, 2023
Observation date: Jul 26, 2022
Submitted by: Beth Polvino
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Sep 05, 2023
Observation date: Jul 21, 2023
Submitted by: Jon Kindschy
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 03, 2023
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