Scarce Copper

lycaena virgaureae

The Scarce Copper (Lycaena virgaureae) is a stunningly vibrant butterfly belonging to the family Lycaenidae. Known for the brilliant, glowing coppery-orange color of the male's upper wings, this species is a jewel of palearctic meadows and forest edges. Despite its name, it can be locally abundant in undisturbed, flower-rich habitats across Europe and parts of Asia, though land development and intensive agriculture have led to declines in some regions. These butterflies are highly active during warm, sunny days, frequently visiting nectar-rich yellow and white flowers. They undergo a single generation per year, overwintering as eggs before emerging as caterpillar larvae in the spring to feed on sorrel plants.

Habitat: Found in flower-rich dry or damp meadows, woodland clearings, and sunny hillsides, often closely associated with host sorrel plants.

Appearance

The Scarce Copper is a small to medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of 3 to 4 cm. Sexual dimorphism is highly pronounced: males possess brilliant, unspotted, glowing coppery-red or orange upper wings with a very thin, clean black outer border. In contrast, females are less luminous, featuring golden-orange upper wings heavily patterned with rows of dark brown or black spots. The undersides of both sexes are similar, presenting a pale orange-yellow to brownish hue adorned with small black spots and a characteristic submarginal row of tiny white patches on the hindwing.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyLycaenidaeGenusLycaena

Photo: Kostas ZontanosCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalistView original ↗

Scarce Copper

Interesting facts

Female Scarce Coppers deliberately lay their eggs near the base of withered host plants, ensuring the emerging spring larvae are close to newly sprouting sorrel leaves.

The species name 'virgaureae' refers to European Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea), which is one of the adult butterflies' favorite nectar sources, rather than the caterpillar's host plant.

While most copper butterflies have dark spots on their upper wings, the male Scarce Copper is unique for having entirely spotless, pure orange-red upper wings.

Special abilities

Utilizes its highly reflective copper wings to bask in the sun at precise angles, rapidly warming up its thoracic flight muscles on cool mornings.

Males establish and fiercely guard small sunny perches, darting out to drive away rival males and other insect intruders.

Produces eggs with a thick, insulated chorion shell, allowing them to safely survive freezing winter temperatures on dry stems.

Measurements & details

Length: 1+ cm
Wingspan: 3+ cm
Weight: 0.0001+ kg
Lifespan: 1+ years
Speed: 12 km/h
Clutch Size: 40+
Incubation: 180+ days

Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars feed exclusively on the foliage of sorrel plants, while adult butterflies feed on the nectar of various flowering plants, especially white and yellow composites.

Age differences: Larvae chew and feed strictly on the leaves of host Rumex plants, whereas adults drink liquid nectar using a sucking proboscis.

Primary Foods

Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
Sheep's Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea)
Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Foraging Method

Grazing

Ecological connections

Host plant

Common Sorrel

Rumex acetosa

The primary larval host plant, providing essential nutrition to the growing caterpillars.

Eaten by

Eurasian Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleus

Preyed upon by small insectivorous birds during the adult butterfly stage.

Parasite

Ichneumon Wasp

Ichneumon suspiciosus

Larvae are occasionally parasitized by specialized parasitoid wasps.

Traits

No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Scarce Copper?

Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Scarce Copper?

1+ cm

What is Scarce Copper's wingspan?

3+ cm

How much does Scarce Copper weigh?

0.0001+ kg

How long does Scarce Copper live?

1+ years

How fast can Scarce Copper move?

12 km/h

What does Scarce Copper eat?

Caterpillars feed exclusively on the foliage of sorrel plants, while adult butterflies feed on the nectar of various flowering plants, especially white and yellow composites.

Where is Scarce Copper usually found?

Found in flower-rich dry or damp meadows, woodland clearings, and sunny hillsides, often closely associated with host sorrel plants.