Small Copper

Lycaena phlaeas

Common throughout Britain.

The Caterpillars (Larvae) are usually green, but some have a purple stripe down the middle of the back and along each side.

The Larvae feeds on Sheep's & Common Sorrel.

The upperside forewings are a bright orange with a dark outside edge border and with eight or nine black spots.

The hindwings are dark with an orange border.

Some Females also have a row of blue spots inside the orange border and are known as form caeruleopunctata.

The undersides are patterned in a similar way but are paler.

The black spots on the forewings are outlined in yellow and the dark colouring is replaced by a pale brownish grey.

Flight period is from May-October.