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Lycaena virgaureae

Scarce Copper

Field Notes

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Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004

Male showing dazzling red upperside - visible across meadows from great distances.

 

Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004

Typical female

 

Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004

 

Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004

Unusual female form

 

Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004

Another view of the stunning male above.

 

Valais, Switzerland, July 2005

 

Valais, Switzerland, July 2005

 

Valais, Switzerland, July 2005

 

Valais, Switzerland, July 2005

 

Tatra Mountains, Slovakia, July 2001

 

Tatra Mountains, Slovakia, July 2001

Underside is unmistakable

 

Provence, France, August 2001

Female

 

Macedonia, Greece, July 2000

 

Valais, Switzerland, August 2002

 

E Switzerland, July 2003

 

Tatra Mountains, Slovakia, July 2001

 


The males of this species are super bright red. In a field full colour - flowers, butterflies, birds... - a male perched on a flower head 20 meters away will instantly catch the eye. It is a common butterfly in high mountains although it is found in lower areas less commonly. It flies in the northern half of Spain, and from the Alps eastwards and from Greece to Scandinavia.

 

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