Balkan Copper (Lycaena candens)
Species

Male. Taken at the Sarnena river, Bulgaria, on June 23rd 2014.
(1/160th sec at f13. © David Hastings)

Male underside. Taken at the Sarnena river, Bulgaria, on June 23rd 2014.
(1/320th sec at f13. © David Hastings)

Description

Family: Lycaeninae

Wing span: 38 - 42mm

Previously regarded as a subspecies of the Purple-edged Copper, the Balkan Copper is now a species in its own right. The male has bright orange upper forewings which have a strong violet iridescence on the black borders.

It is restricted to mountainous areas in the south Balkans.

Typical habitats are marshy meadows and glades, damp grassland, and forest clearings, usually between 800 and 2300m.

There is one generation per year between June and late August.

The main larval foodplant is Common Sorrell (Rumex acetosa).

Sightings

25-Jul-2015 : Nr Dobrinishte, Bulgaria
22-Jul-2015 : Kresna Gorge, Bulgaria
22-Jul-2015 : nr Lilyanovo, Bulgaria
21-Jul-2015 : nr Petrovo, Bulgaria

24-Jun-2014 : Papaz Tchair, Bulgaria
23-Jun-2014 : Borino, Bulgaria
23-Jun-2014 : Sarnena River, Dospat, Bulgaria