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• Damselflies
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• Hike with Mike

• The butterflies:
• Gossamer-wing Butterflies
  • Harvesters
  • Coppers
  • Hairstreaks
  • Blues
• Coppers
  • American Copper
  • Gray Copper
  • Bronze Copper
  • Bog Copper
  • Dorcas Copper
  • Purplish Copper

Bronze Copper

(Lycaena hyllus)

The Bronze Copper has been found throughout Wisconsin except for the northernmost counties, and is found commonly in the southern counties. It is found in moister habitats than the American Copper, and edges of wetland areas are prime spots for this showy butterfly. The butterfly is often found perching on vegetation, as in the top photo shown here, but when good nectar sources like Swamp Milkweed, Boneset, or Goldenrod are present they may be very easy targets for the camera as they nectar away the day.

Identifying characteristics: The upper surfaces of the male and females of this species are different. The male is mainly brownish with a hint of purple that is best observed in fresh specimens (4th photo). The hind wing margins of both the male and the females have orange bands. The female differs in that the upper front wing has a copper colored area with more obvious dark spots than the male (3rd photo). Below the sexes are similar with a large orange band on the hind wing margin, a very light color with black dots on the hind wing, and an orange/copper tinge to the front wing

Similar species: The Gray Copper is very similar to the Bronze Copper below, but lacks the orange on the front wing so that its wings are a uniform whitish color.

Habitat: Wetlands and wetland edges where various species of Docks and Knotweeds are available as host plants.

Flight: 2–3 broods. The first in early June.

Abundance: A common butterfly in the southern counties, but becoming less common as one goes north.

Recent Bronze Copper Sightings

Date seen	County	Reported by
Sunday	Wood	Ron Arnold
Sunday	Wood	Ron Arnold
08–18–2008	Wood	Mike Reese

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