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.
Family: | Lycaenidae | Leach, 1815 |
Subfamily: | Lycaeninae | Leach, 1815 |
Tribe: | Lycaenini | Leach, 1815 |
Genus: | Lycaena | Fabricius, 1807 |
Subgenus: | ||
Species: | virgaureae | (Linnaeus, 1758) |