Small Copper Butterfly (Lycaena phlaeus) – Devon, UK
Canon 7D
Canon 300mm F4 IS plus 1.4 x Extender and Canon Extension Tube EF 25 II
1/200
F13
ISO 250
Tripod
AV Mode, Evaluative Metering dialed to -1
Wingspan approximately 25mms. They can be found throughout the UK, but less common in Scotland, from May to October on sandy heathland, sandy coastal areas and woodland edges.
The small copper is named after its bright copper coloured forewings, which are dotted with black spots and have a black border.
The Small Copper is a fast flying butterfly, and by daytime is almost constantly on the move. Even when feeding, it rests with its wings half open ready for a lightning fast take off. Should another insect enter its air space, the small copper will swiftly drive it away.
These butterflies prefer sandy heathland, where their caterpillars can feed on their favourite food plant – sheep’s sorrel. The bright green caterpillars are covered with tiny hairs, and when viewed from above, their legs and head cannot be seen, so they just look like a part of the leaf they are eating.
In a good summer, the adults can produce three broods. The first in May, the second in August and a third as late as October.
This is the last remaining copper butterfly in Britain since the Large Copper became extinct in the mid 1800’s. Attempts to re-introduce the large copper, so far, have been unsuccessful. Experts have yet to determine the exact formula for their survival here.
Location: Devon_UK