Identifying features
Wingspan 25–30 mm. The male has an orange-red upper wing surface with darker brown and black, sometimes with violet bands along the wing edge; the upper side of the hindwing is brown and violet at the base. The female has orange forewings with dark spots and a dark brown hindwing upper surface. The forewing underside is orange with dark spots; the hindwing underside is brown-grey with dark, round spots in narrow white rings, orange-yellow bands along the wing edge, and a hint of blue-green colouration at the base of the wings.
Similar species
Dark females can resemble Violet copper, but they are significantly larger (bound).
Distribution
In eastern Norway, primarily in the southernmost and northernmost areas of Eastern Norway; common on Hardangervidda; in Midt-Norway, extending north to Finnmark. Rarely found directly on the coast. It has experienced a decline in Europe, but appears to be thriving in the mountains of Norway.
Biology
The egg is somewhat flat with a rough, dotted pattern. The larva is greenish, with faint, weak markings and without distinct longitudinal stripes.