American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

These tiny beauties are fairly common in the mountains but rare in the Piedmont. They're easy to find at overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Pulaski Co., VA 7/13/07.

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Detail of top photo.

Pulaski Co., VA 7/13/07.

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Grayson Co., VA 7/25/10.

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Grayson Co., VA 7/5/07.

Pulaski Co., VA 7/13/07.

Carroll Co., VA 7/14/07.

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Carroll Co., VA 6/29/02.

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Carroll Co., VA 7/24/05.

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Grayson Co., VA 5/28/06.

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Grayson Co., VA 5/29/05.

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

American Coppers are rare away from the Mountains, but do occur at a few sites in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.

Southern Pines, Moore Co., NC 6/10/06.

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Moore Co., NC 6/10/06.

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Different individual.

Moore Co., NC 6/10/06.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.