American Copper

The American Copper (Lycaena phleas) is the most common species in North America. Its larvae feed on clover, dock or sorrel. Adults are delicate with an 18-38 mm (.75 to 1.5 inch) wingspan. They are rapid fliers, flying a foot or two off the ground. Its upperside is two-toned, the forewing is orangish red, spotted with dark brown, and edged with a wide brown band, The hingwing is brown to gray with an orangish red band just in from the outer bottom edge. Underneath, the forewing is orange, spotted with black and edged with gray. Underside of the hindwing is grayish white, dotted with black and marked with a thin, curved, jagged orange line just in from the edge.