| Lycaena helloides (Boisduval, 1852) |
| Status: Uncommon to abundant local resident |
| Flight Period(s): The Purplish Copper is triple brooded in Nebraska with flights peaking in mid May, late June/early July and late August/early September. It has been recorded in the state from 10 May - 12 October. |
| Range: This butterfly is found from the Great Lakes region northwest through most of Alaska and south through most of California. In Nebraska the distribution is primarily western although there are also widespread records from the eastern portion of the state. |
| Larval Hostplant(s): Smartweed and Dock (Polygonum and Rumex) species |
| Overwinter: Reported as egg, first instar larvae or pupae. Early spring flight dates in Nebraska suggest pupae. |
| Commentary/Habitat: This species inhabits the shores of lakes and streams, marshes and low areas. They are widespread in the western half of the state, and become more numerous as the summer progresses until they are sometimes abundant in early September. In the eastern half of the state their occurrence is sporadic, and most records are of single individuals. The first generation has been observed taking nectar from chokecherry flowers. They have been found at Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge ( Garden County – no collecting), Cedar Point Biological Station below Lake McCounaghy ( Keith County) and Nebraska National Forest at Halsey ( Thomas County) . Most records come from road ditches and along rivers and streams. |
| Similar Species: American Copper |
