Lycaenidae: Lycaeninae

1561 (ABH61.001) Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas, (Linnaeus, 1761)

KR07034

Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Hemingford Grey
Hemingford Grey
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Morton Loch, Fife
Morton Loch, Fife
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell


General InformationOverwinters as Overwinters as a larva.

Wingspan: 26-36mm
Foodplant(s): Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa), Sheep's Sorrel (Rumex acetosella), Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius)
Flying: Two/three generations, late April-mid June, mid July-late August and early September-mid October
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Chalk grassland, moorland, heathland, woodland clearings and unimproved grassland.

Regional Information

Recorded in 192 (71.1%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in September 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 15 January to 05 November



Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Hairy
Colours:
Green, red, yellow