UK Butterflies

Building a Community of Responsible Butterfly Enthusiasts in Britain & Ireland

Scarce Copper

Lycaena virgaureae

ly-SEE-nuh vir-GOR-ee-eye

Wingspan
34 - 38 mm

Checklist Number
B43

Scarce Copper

Lycaena virgaureae

ly-SEE-nuh vir-GOR-ee-eye

Wingspan
34 - 38 mm

Checklist Number
B43


The presence of this butterfly (previously known as the Middle Copper) in the British Isles is the subject of controversy, with the species first mentioned as British in 1770. Much of the confusion has arisen from the inclusion of this species in several publications, although the information provided was not based on first-hand experience, but rather earlier works or specimens found in collections.

This species was first defined in Linnaeus (1758) as shown here (type locality: Europe, Africa).

 
Family:LycaenidaeLeach, 1815
Subfamily:LycaeninaeLeach, 1815
Tribe:LycaeniniLeach, 1815
Genus:LycaenaFabricius, 1807
Subgenus:  
Species:virgaureae(Linnaeus, 1758)