| Actual Image
Sooty Coppers-II (52)
boreocypriensis
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5080 W: 178 N: 12337]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (33659) | Lycaena tityrus (Sooty Copper) [in Turk. İsli Bakır Kelebeği]
Another shot (-partly in take off-) of this rarely seen butterfly but now a in semi-open wings, showing a bit different colouration on forewings. I also attached another one as WS.
TFL and Cheers,
©Bayram GÖÇMEN, Ege University, Faculty of Science. All Rights Reserved.
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Sooty Copper (SC) is a small-sized butterfly with a wingspan of 28-30 mm. The male upperside is all brown with black spots and some more or less well developed submarginal orange lunules. There may also be some blue spots above the orange lunules on the hindwings. The female has an orange ground colour to the forewings though this may be significantly toned down in some individuals. The undersides have a rather yellowy feel to them with an orange flush on the forewing of the female. The high alpine subspecies, subalpinus, looses all upperside orange even in the females. This subspecies appears to be single brooded, those of lower altitudes are multiple brooded.
The SC is basically a common butterfly in continental Europe though not as uniformly ubiquitous as the Small Copper, Lycaena phlaeas. It is also found in Turkey, Siberia, Urals, Kazakhstan, Altai Mts. The adult butterflies fly in two or more generation (i.e. respectively, univoltine or polyvoltine) based on the localtity temperature –in hot conditions are polyvoltine, whereas they are bivoltine in cooler localities- from April to October. The larval host-plants are Rumex species (docks). SC is observed in flowery grassy meadows, dry scrub; damp woodland clearings and sheltered alpine gullies up to around 2500 m. Hibernates as a small larva are base of larval-host plant. It never seems to be very common but the individuals that are present are usually rather conspicuous, flying rapidly about and feeding avidly at flowers. Often they it in the centre of flowers without feeding, presumably this offers them a little more warmth.
References:
1. Baytaş, A. (2008). Türkiye’nin Kelebekleri Doğa Rehberi. NTV yayınları, Doğuş Grubu İletişim Yayıncılık ve Ticaret A.Ş., Istanbul, 222 s.
2. Tolman, T.(2008).Collins Butterfly Guide of Britain and Europe. HarperCollins Publishers Ltd., London,. 384 pp.
3. Matt’s European Butterflies. |
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