Small copper egg-laying habits

[Max Anderson]

Just wanted to gather thoughts/experiences from others on this subject.

I'm specifically interested in whether anyone has observed phlaeas using anything other than sheep's sorrel, common sorrel or broad leaved dock as a larval host plant in the UK.

Thanks!

[David M]

Can't say I have, Max, although that doesn't necessarily mean they don't.

[Allan.W.]

Hello Max ,think you,re going to struggle for takers on this one Max . At Dungeness ,which has a HUGE population of Small Coppers ,and is carpeted with Sheeps Sorrell .........that is the go to foodplant ,although i have seen Common Sorrell used as well .
At a small local spot .a stones throw from home ,i guess the small population of Coppers use a Dock species (probably Broad -leaved ) which grows in some profusion ,and i,ve not noticed either of the sorrells growing there as yet .
I had a look through my modest butterfly " library " and every writer says the same ..............ie; Common Sorrell ,Sheeps Sorrell and Broad -leaved Dock ,the only mention of another foodplant/egglaying source is in Newmans (Edward ) butterflies ,where a county contributor ,sites Common Fleabane ,which seems pretty unlikely to me ,although as you know it is a very popular nectar source for Coppers ,Sorry can,t be more helpful !
Regards Allan.W.

[Max Anderson]

Thank you both for your comments - I didn't anticipate many responses on this, as I think it's pretty well accepted that they only use common sorrel, sheep's sorrel and broad leaved dock.

I ask because I've recently observed them using curled dock ,Rumex crispus, which I hadn't seen referenced in the UK. I'm also finding some eggs being laid on non-LHP's, which are adjacent to LHP's. This is something I'm aware of in other species, but I've seen no reference to this behaviour in L. phlaeas.

[bugboy]

Hi Max, I found this reference

in this book

[bugboy]

I also watched a female lay this egg on a stone some years ago at Newhaven Tidemills https://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/album_p ... p?id=21972 Unfortunately I can't remember how close it was to any foodplant but one would presume these was a sprig of Sorrel close by.