Blues, coppers and hairstreaks · Denmark

Sooty copper

Lycaena tityrus

Sooty copper is rare in Denmark. Wing span: 27-31 mm (male). Flight period in May-June and again in late July to early August. Sooty copper flies between flowers and slightly tall open grass on sandy soil.

Status in this countryRare in DenmarkVU (Vulnerable)

Flight period

Flies in May-June and again from late July to early August.

Habitat

Sooty copper flies among flowers and medium-height, open grass on sandy soil. Unsprayed and unfertilised disturbed ground in southernmost Denmark is a good place to search for the species.

Identifying features

Wingspan: 27-31 mm (male). Wingspan: 25-29 mm (female). The male's upperside is metallic black-brown with distinct, completely black spots.

Similar species

Can be confused with small copper, but can be distinguished from it by its underside. In flight, small copper and sooty copper resemble each other.

Distribution

Sooty copper has been recorded sporadically at very few sites throughout Jutland, mainly in the 80s and 90s, presumably as a migrant. In 1969 it was recorded at Vasemose on Als.

Biology

It has two generations in Denmark. The eggs are laid on sorrel and sheep's sorrel.