Dorcas Copper (Lycaena dorcas)

Member of Family: Lycaenidae   

On iNaturalist, the scientific name has been updated to Tharsalea dorcas.

This butterfly is similar to the Bog Copper, but it has more of an orange colour on the underside.  Also, the male has more dark spots on the upper side than does the male Bog Copper. When fresh, the male typically has more of a purplish cast to the upperside as shown at bottom left.  There is also a resemblance to the (more rare) Purplish Copper, especially on the underside.  The females of the two species are reasonably distinct on the upper side, but males are more difficult to tell apart.  Male Purplish Copper typically has more extensive orange markings along the margin of the hind wing, and more pointed fore wings.

Though relatively common in Northern Ontario, in Southern Ontario it is only known from the fens along the Bruce Peninsula, and a few isolated fens further south.

To see where this butterfly has been reported, visit:  The Ontario Butterfly Atlas Online

For more info on this species, visit the Butterflies of Canada