Lilac-bordered Copper - Hodges#4263
Lycaena nivalis
This record describes Lycaena nivalis (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to Dorcas, Bog, & Purplish Coppers ( Lycaena dorcas, helloides, & episanthe ). Difficult to distinguish just looking at upper side, but lower side of hind wing is distinctly yellowish toward base and pinkish or purplish on the outher half. Faded individuals look most like Bog Coppers below, but they are not found in the same regions.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters)
- Subfamily
- Lycaeninae
- Genus
- Lycaena
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mostly relatively dry open areas, often in Sagebrush areas and often on slopes near or in washes, hollows, arroyos. Sometimes in open sunny woodland areas.
Geographic Range
Mountains of western North America, from southern British Columbia and northern Montana south through Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California. Usually only at high elevations southward.
Seasonal Activity
Adults in mid-summer. Overwinters as eggs.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts are species of Knotweed - Polygonum - family Polygonaceae [perhaps restricted to Polygonum douglasii . .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lycaena nivalis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Lilac-bordered Copper - Hodges#4263 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Lilac-bordered Copper - Hodges#4263
What is Lilac-bordered Copper - Hodges#4263?
Lilac-bordered Copper - Hodges#4263 (Lycaena nivalis) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Lilac-bordered Copper - Hodges#4263?
Similar to Dorcas, Bog, & Purplish Coppers ( Lycaena dorcas, helloides, & episanthe ). Difficult to distinguish just looking at upper side, but lower side of hind wing is distinctly yellowish toward base and pinkish or purplish on the outher half. Faded individuals look most like Bog Coppers below, but they are not found in the same regions.
Where is Lilac-bordered Copper - Hodges#4263 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mostly relatively dry open areas, often in Sagebrush areas and often on slopes near or in washes, hollows, arroyos. Sometimes in open sunny woodland areas. |
| Range | Mountains of western North America, from southern British Columbia and northern Montana south through Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California. Usually only at high elevations southward. |
What does Lilac-bordered Copper - Hodges#4263 eat?
The diet of the Lilac-bordered Copper - Hodges#4263 includes Larval hosts are species of Knotweed - Polygonum - family Polygonaceae [perhaps restricted to Polygonum douglasii . ..
When is Lilac-bordered Copper - Hodges#4263 active?
Lilac-bordered Copper - Hodges#4263: seasonal activity - Adults in mid-summer. Overwinters as eggs..