Lycaena hippothoe

English name:
Purple-edged Copper
Full scientific name:
Lycaena hippothoe (Linnaeus, 1761)
Croatian name:
Bjelooki vatreni plavac

Red Book Category in EU: LC

Red Book Category in Croatia: NT

Wings span: 27-33 mm

Lycaena hippothoe, male, Žumberak, 0821L9303
Lycaena hippothoe, male, Žumberak, 0821L9303
Lycaena hippothoe, male, Žumberak, 0821L9303
Lycaena hippothoe, male, Žumberak, 0821L9303
Lycaena hippothoe, female, Žumberak, 0821L0038
Lycaena hippothoe, female, Žumberak, 0821L0038
Lycaena hippothoe, female, Žumberak, 0821L0038
Lycaena hippothoe, female, Žumberak, 0821L0038

Flight Period and Life Cycle

Flight period of Lycaena hippothoe Copper in Croatia
Flight period of Lycaena hippothoe in Croatia

Two broods per year. Overwinters as caterpillar.

Distribution in Croatia

Distribution of Lycaena hippothoe in Croatia
Distribution of Lycaena hippothoe in Croatia

More common in the north. Check the included map.

External Morphology Characteristics

In males, the upper side of the wings is intensely red in color with a wide dark border. On the hindwing, in the anal zone, a purple glow is visible. In females, the upper side of the forewing is brown. The hindwing is brown in color and there are orange spots in the submarginal zone. The underside of the forewing is orange-brown in color in both sexes. The hindwing is brown in color. There is a shorter series of orange spots usually visible in S1-S4 zones. The butterfly is similar to Lycaena candens.

Behavior

Males are more active. Imago feeds with nectar of flowers.

Caterpillar Host Plants

Genus Rumex, like R. hydrolapatum, R. acetosella and R. acetosa.

Habitat

Anthropogenic meadows at the edges of woodland. Elevations: 150-1000m.

Gallery

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