Coppers belong to the worldwide Family Lycaenidae, which also includes blues, hairstreaks and metalmarks. Coppers are typified by a relatively small size, and by bright copper-colored wings on the dorsal surface of males in most, but not all, species. Sexes are dimorphic, with females generally a draber brown or gray color and with heavier black markings on the dorsal wing surfaces. None of our coppers fly before early May, and only one of our seven species has more than one brood per year. Most of our species overwinter in the egg stage.

Lycaena rubida is a strictly western North American species, occurring from southern Alberta south through the Pacific and Rocky Mountain states, barely into the American southwest. Within Washington State the Ruddy Copper is confined to the Columbia Basin, and is not found west of the Cascades.

The  preferred habitat of the Ruddy Copper is hot, dry shrub- steppe, although within such areas it may be found flying near watercourses or  along  meadow edges. L. rubida is infrequently encountered throughout much of its Washington range, and indeed may be considered uncommon in most areas. Perhaps its greatest stronghold is in the Juniper Dunes Wilderness northeast of the Tri-Cities, where the species is quite abundant on the wing in late May. Further west the Ruddy Copper can sometimes be found along the lower reaches of Umtanum Canyon above its mouth with the Yakima River, although this population appears to fluctuate from year to year.

In Washington the recorded flight period for the Ruddy Copper extends from early May to late July, although it is much more likely to be found during the first half of this period. Adults appear to have a relatively long flight period, perhaps as much as two weeks, before the females become gravid with eggs and begin ovipositing. The larval hostplants are various species of Rumex (Dock), and because these plants die back each year the eggs are usually deposited on inert substrate surfaces near the plants. Eggs are deposited singly, but each female may produce a large number of them. In the Juniper Dunes area the favored food plant is Rumex venosus (Sand Dock) which often grows directly on the open sand.

Once deposited the eggs lie dormant throughout the summer and following winter, finally hatching early the next spring. The larvae are nocturnal, venturing onto the plant to feed on leaves during the night. During the daytime the larvae retreat under debris such as sticks and leaves, usually within about 10 inches of the plant base, and in sandy environments have been documented resting in holes in the sand. This species has been reported to have a symbiotic relationship with ants. In the later larval stages the larvae feed heavily, inflicting considerable damage on the  host  plant.

When large holes in the Rumex leaves are observed, larvae can usually be found nearby. The larvae develop fairly rapidly and take on various shades of brown and green, attaining a large size for this family. The pupa is attached weakly at the posterior end, either hanging from a plant or (usually) hidden under debris. In captivity the adults emerge about seventeen days after pupation to restart the cycle.

Dorsally the adult male Ruddy Copper is a striking bright copper-orange color, our most brightly colored and largest copper. Ventrally the hindwing is almost pure white with scattered small black dots. Females vary from nearly as orange as the males to a drab gray color dorsally, and ventrally are white like the males. On both surfaces, but particularly the dorsal side, females are more heavily marked with black spots than their male counterparts. As in all coppers the ventral forewings of both sexes bear a row of bold black spots, but most of these spots will be covered from view while the butterfly is at rest.

Adult Ruddy Coppers fly actively in areas with nectar flowers near the Rumex host plants. Males stake out territory and perch conspicuously, flying out to challenge other males and searching for mates. Females meanwhile keep a lower profile, flying only as necessary to reach nectar flowers. Any available nectar source appears to be utilized. The orange morph females, presumably mimicing males, appear to be harassed much less by males than do their gray counterparts. Thus while they appear less camouflaged against predators these orange females may gain access to more nectar.

All Photos by Dave Nunnallee

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