ExploreInsects

Mariposa Copper

Tharsalea mariposa

The Mariposa Copper is a beautiful butterfly with bright orange and black wings. It flutters around flowers and loves sunny spots, making it a delightful sight in nature.

Habitat: Meadows

Appearance

The Mariposa Copper is a small butterfly with brilliant, iridescent coppery-orange upperwings, often marked with dark spots. Its hindwings can be dusky with a subtle dark band, while the undersides are typically duller gray or tan for camouflage, helping it blend into its environment.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyLycaenidaeGenusTharsalea
Mariposa Copper
social trait badgecolorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
Mariposa Copper

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Baby Mariposa Coppers look like tiny green slugs, not fuzzy caterpillars, as they munch on leaves.

Its shiny wings often flash brilliant copper, making it look like a flying penny in the sun!

These butterflies sometimes gather in damp spots to drink important minerals from the soil, a behavior called 'puddling.'

Unlike many butterflies, male Mariposa Coppers are very territorial and will chase other insects out of their space!

Special abilities

Ability

Nectar Straw

Mariposa Copper can drink sweet flower nectar using a long, straw-like mouthpart (proboscis), reaching deep into blossoms for energy.

Ability

Disappearing Act

Mariposa Copper has duller underside wings that blend perfectly with dried leaves and bark when resting, helping them hide.

Ability

Solar Powered Flight

Mariposa Copper has dark body parts that absorb sunlight, helping them warm up quickly for flight on cool mountain mornings.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
25-35 mm
Size
10-15 mm
Lifespan
15-30 days
Flight Speed
10 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip flower nectar for energy; caterpillars munch on specific plant leaves to grow.

Age differences: Larvae eat the leaves of cinquefoil plants; adults drink nectar from various flowering plants.

Primary Foods

  • Flower Nectar
  • Cinquefoil Leaves (Potentilla spp.)

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Slender Cinquefoil

Potentilla gracilis

Its larvae feed exclusively on the leaves of this host plant.

pollinates

Canada Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Adult butterflies visit its flowers, drinking nectar and transferring pollen.

eaten by

Steller's Jay

Cyanocitta stelleri

Birds like this one are generalist predators of adult butterflies.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mariposa Copper's wingspan?

25-35 mm

How big is Mariposa Copper?

10-15 mm

How long does Mariposa Copper live?

15-30 days

How fast can Mariposa Copper fly?

10 km/h

What does Mariposa Copper eat?

Adults sip flower nectar for energy; caterpillars munch on specific plant leaves to grow.

Where is Mariposa Copper usually found?

Meadows

How does Mariposa Copper hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Mariposa Copper have?

6

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Insects