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Purple Shot Copper
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Valais,
Switzerland, June 2007
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Var, France, May
2006
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NW Greece, July
2004 (m) Purple
sheen across the upperside of the male |
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High Atlas,
Morocco, July 2005
ssp.
heracleana
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Purple Shot
Copper,
Lycaena alciphron
Distribution: Across Europe except UK, Benelux and Scandinavia,
usually in hills or mountains. Also from the Moroccan High Atlas mountains.
Identification: Males are distinct with their purple sheen. Can be
confused with the Purple Edged Copper, L. hippothoe. The post discal arc
of spots on latter species is smoothly curving. In alciphron it these
spots are grouped in pairs and are not aligned.
Flight time: Generally June/July and I have found it regularly in
April in Provence, France.
Habitat: Flowery meadows from low levels (can be hot and dry in
Mediterranean areas) to over 2000m. In Morocco upto 2500m.
Behaviour: Males often fly very fast when the sheen on the upperside
looks mauve red in flight.
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Piedmont, Italy,
June 2007
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Var, France, May
2006
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High Atlas,
Morocco, July 2005 (f)
ssp.
heracleana
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Var, France, May
2004 (f)
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Var, France, May
2004 (f)
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Var, France, May
2004 (f)
Female underside |
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Valais,
Switzerland, June 2004 |
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Valais,
Switzerland, June 2004 (m) |
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Valais,
Switzerland, July 2004 m) |
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Valais,
Switzerland, July 2004 (m) |
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Pyrenees,
France, August 2003 (f)
Female of
subspecies gordius. |
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Provence,
France, April 2003 |
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