Small Copper
Small Copper / lycaena phlaeas. Dunwich Forest, Suffolk. 23/07/20.
'SUMMER DAY COPPER, A TREASURE INDEED.'
There were a few Small Coppers favouring a section of track in Dunwich Forest. Males spent most of their time patrolling above the Bell Heather, seeing off any type of flying insect, whilst actively seeking out females. They did occasionally take time out to bask on the stony track itself.
I think this particular individual is lycaena phlaeas ssp. eleus and an aberration called caeruleopunctata.
Caeruleopunctata refers specifically to the row of small blue spots just above the orange hindwing margin.
Apparently the aberration varies from having 1-2 faint blue spots through to 5 clearly defined ones. My image gives a glimpse of only some that were present on this butterfly.
BEST VIEWED LARGE.
Small Copper
Small Copper / lycaena phlaeas. Dunwich Forest, Suffolk. 23/07/20.
'SUMMER DAY COPPER, A TREASURE INDEED.'
There were a few Small Coppers favouring a section of track in Dunwich Forest. Males spent most of their time patrolling above the Bell Heather, seeing off any type of flying insect, whilst actively seeking out females. They did occasionally take time out to bask on the stony track itself.
I think this particular individual is lycaena phlaeas ssp. eleus and an aberration called caeruleopunctata.
Caeruleopunctata refers specifically to the row of small blue spots just above the orange hindwing margin.
Apparently the aberration varies from having 1-2 faint blue spots through to 5 clearly defined ones. My image gives a glimpse of only some that were present on this butterfly.
BEST VIEWED LARGE.