Great Copper
Lycaena xanthoides (Boisduval, 1852)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Lycaeninae
Identification: Gray above with orange band and black spots along edge of hindwing. Below tan with black spots. Orange trim on hind trim on hindwing.
Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 inches (3.3 - 4.4 cm).
Life History: Males perch and patrol flats and streambeds in search of receptive females.
Flight: May to mid-August, usually late May to mid-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Several dock species.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Open foothills and valleys.
Range: Southern Oregon south through westside California to extreme northern Baja California.
Conservation: None required, although range is being invaded by exotic European weeds that may reduce habitat suitability and availability. Subspecies obsolescens limited to Hunter Mountain in Death Valley National Monument is extremely limited in distribution.
NCGR: G-5. Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Subspecies obsolescens is ranked G5T1.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
Alternate Scientific Names:
Gaeides xanthoides
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 49 - 72 of 238 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 15, 2014
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 20, 2014
Observation date: Jun 01, 2014
Submitted by: badyak
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 02, 2014
Observation date: May 25, 2014
Submitted by: badyak
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 26, 2014
Observation date: Jun 09, 2013
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 03, 2013
Observation date: Jun 09, 2012
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Riverside County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 25, 2013
Observation date: Jun 18, 2013
Submitted by: Josiah Gilbert
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 14, 2013
Observation date: Jun 06, 2013
Submitted by: Josiah Gilbert
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 14, 2013
Observation date: May 28, 2012
Submitted by: evilrobot42
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 15, 2012
Observation date: Jun 20, 2012
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 02, 2012
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: May 30, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Kojiro Shiraiwa)
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Jun 26, 2005
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Kim Davis & Mike Stangeland)
Region: Inyo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Jun 06, 2010
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Nick Lethaby)
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 31, 2010
Observation date: Jun 06, 2010
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Nick Lethaby)
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 31, 2010
Observation date: May 10, 1981
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (John Pasko)
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 31, 2010
Observation date: May 17, 1981
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (John Pasko)
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 31, 2010
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: Jun 16, 1991
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (A. M. Shapiro)
Region: Nevada County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 02, 2010
Observation date: Jul 22, 1991
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (A. M. Shapiro)
Region: Placer County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 02, 2010
Observation date: Jul 17, 1989
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (J. T. McBurney)
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 02, 2010
Observation date: Jul 27, 1989
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Richard Kelson)
Region: Tehama County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 02, 2010
Observation date: Jun 23, 1987
Submitted by: paulopler (Paul Opler)
Region: Merced County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Apr 02, 2010
Observation date: Jun 14, 1982
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (C. L. Hageman)
Region: Colusa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Mar 09, 2010
Observation date: Jun 19, 1982
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (C. L. Hageman)
Region: Colusa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Mar 09, 2010
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