# Small Copper (*Lycaena phlaeas*) The Small Copper is a bright orange butterfly with beautiful black spots. It flutters around gardens and fields, bringing joy to anyone who sees it! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Copper Butterfly ![Small Copper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/American_Copper_-_Lycaena_phlaeas%252C_Idylwild_State_Wildlife_Management_Area%252C_Federalsburg%252C_Maryland_%2835150270616%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_Copper_-_Lycaena_phlaeas%252C_Idylwild_State_Wildlife_Management_Area%252C_Federalsburg%252C_Maryland_%2835150270616%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Small Copper is a vibrant butterfly with dazzling coppery-orange forewings splashed with distinctive black spots. Its hindwings are dark brown or grey, edged with a striking band of bright orange, making it easy to spot against green leaves. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Lycaenidae - **Genus:** Lycaena ## Interesting facts - Small Coppers are one of the most widespread butterflies, found across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America! - The tiny caterpillars of this butterfly are often found eating plants like sorrel and dock! - Wow, its name 'phlaeas' comes from a Greek word for 'red or fiery', just like its wings! - You might spot Small Coppers even late in the year, as they have multiple generations from spring to autumn! ## Special abilities - **Agile Flier:** Small Copper can dart away quickly because of its rapid, erratic flight, which helps them evade birds and other predators. - **Solar Powered:** Small Copper has dark areas on its wings that help them absorb sunlight, allowing them to warm up quickly and fly even on cooler days. - **Green Cloak:** Small Copper's caterpillars are bright green, allowing them to blend perfectly with the leaves they eat, which helps them hide from hungry birds. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Small Coppers sip sweet flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on plant leaves. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat plant leaves, while adults feed on flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Common Sorrel leaves, Sheep's Sorrel leaves, Broad-leaved Dock leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Common Sorrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-sorrel) (*Rumex acetosa*) — Its leaves are a primary food for caterpillars. - **Pollinates:** [Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Adults visit for nectar, helping spread pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds can prey on adult butterflies. - **Eaten by:** European Garden Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Butterflies can get caught in spider webs. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Butterflies are gentle, but it's best to watch them from a distance and not touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Small 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. ### What is Small Copper's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is Small Copper? 15-20 mm ### How long does Small Copper live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Small Copper fly? 12 km/h ### What does Small Copper eat? Adult Small Coppers sip sweet flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on plant leaves. ### Where is Small Copper usually found? Grasslands ### How does Small Copper hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Zoologická zahrada Děčín - Pastýřská stěna](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoologick-zahrada-d-n-past-sk-st-na) — Ústí nad Labem Region, CZ · Zoo - [Skandinavisk Dyrepark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skandinavisk-dyrepark) — Central Denmark Region, DK · Zoo - [Naturpark Vulkanregion Vogelsberg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-vulkanregion-vogelsberg) — Hessen, DE · Park - [Alps Azumino National Government Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alps-azumino-national-government-park) — Chubu, JP · Park [View all places to see Small Copper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/small-copper) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Small Copper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/small-copper)