Small Copper

Name: Small Copper

Scientific name: Lycaena phlaeas

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 40

What are nature stars?

About: A small butterfly, with a wingspan of about 3.5cm. Adults fly throughout the summer between April and October. A bold, colourful little butterfly that likes the sun, adults commonly feed on ragwort and thistles. Found in dry, sunny habitats, including heathland, woodland edges, waste ground and downland. Caterpillars feed on common sorrel and sheep's sorrel.

How to identify: Unmistakeable, a small butterfly with orange forewings spotted with dark brown and dark brown hind wings with a band of orange.

Where: Found across the country, although scarcer in the north of Scotland.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 10
• Agility: 70
• Rarity: 30
• Cute factor: 50
• Traveller: 50

Fantastic fact: The related Large Copper became extinct over 150 years ago.

Photograph credit: Keith Warmington/www.warmies.co.uk