Photo © Nick Montegriffo
Small Copper
Lycaena phlaeas
Checklist Number61.001 [B&F: 1561]
Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)
Classification
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Subfamily: | Lycaeninae |
| Genus: | Lycaena |
| Species: | phlaeas |
| Authority: | (Linnaeus, 1761) |
Common in grassland, heaths, waste ground, sand-dunes, sea cliffs, embankments and roadside verges; 0-700 m (0-2400 m in Europe) throughout much of the British Isles, but not in the Highlands or Islands of Scotland; mainland Europe and Scandinavia. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread, present in small numbers across much of the county, favouring dry open areas. Wingspan 24-30 mm. Larva feeds on Sheep's Sorrel, Common Sorrel and Dock.