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Lycaena phlaeas americana Harris, 1862 |
Status: Uncommon to rare local resident |
Flight Period(s): Flight Period(s): Probably triple brooded in Nebraska where there are records from 27 May– 10 September. |
Range: L. phlaeas is found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. In North America the species has a curious disjointed distribution, being found in most of the northeastern quarter of the United States and southeastern Canada, in Alaska and portions of British Columbia and Alberta, in northern and eastern portions of the Northwest Territories, and in isolated populations in mountainous regions of the western U. S. In Nebraska most records are from the sandhills or the eastern portion of the state. |
Larval Hostplant(s): Dock (Rumex) species, especially sheep sorrel (R. acetosella). |
Overwinter: As a pupae. |
Commentary/Habitat: Although it is sometimes found at nectar some distance from these habitats, this species inhabits wet meadows, streamsides, and marshy valleys. Adults have been reported nectaring on alfalfa. They have been found at the Calamus Fish Hatchery (Garfield County – straying from the Calamus River nearby?), in the road ditch of Highway 7 at the North Loup River just north of Brewster (Blaine County) and near the Taylor Prairie (Washington County). Most records are from the third brood flying in early autumn. The species is slightly dimorphic, the main difference being that females have more orange coloration or the dorsal forewing. |
Similar Species: Purplish Copper. |
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