Bog Copper (Tharsalea epixanthe syn. Lycaena epixanthe) Garrett County, Maryland
The smallest of all coppers in the United States. Tiny indeed with a wingspan of less than an inch.
The Bog Copper is an obligate inhabitant of high elevation acidic bogs with wild cranberries.
In Maryland it occurs only in Garrett County and is considered highly state rare and threatened (S1) species.
The butterfly is univoltine (one brood) and overwinters as an egg that can survive freezing temperatures, ice and periodic water inundation. In spring the larvae feed on cranberry leaves and when adults emerge the cranberry blooms serve as a source of nectar.
See following shots of the host plant and also the habitat.
Bog Copper (Tharsalea epixanthe syn. Lycaena epixanthe) Garrett County, Maryland
The smallest of all coppers in the United States. Tiny indeed with a wingspan of less than an inch.
The Bog Copper is an obligate inhabitant of high elevation acidic bogs with wild cranberries.
In Maryland it occurs only in Garrett County and is considered highly state rare and threatened (S1) species.
The butterfly is univoltine (one brood) and overwinters as an egg that can survive freezing temperatures, ice and periodic water inundation. In spring the larvae feed on cranberry leaves and when adults emerge the cranberry blooms serve as a source of nectar.
See following shots of the host plant and also the habitat.