I haven’t seen this trully beautiful small butterfly for some years around here, in fact the last time I photographed it was 10 years to the month. It was certainly making the most of this White Clover.
Click once to expand view, click again to get that little bit closer
May 2018, local field, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman. Sigma 18-300mm lens.
I love the site of this bright and cheery butterfly. The upperside of the wings is gleaming coppery-red or orange with sooty-brown markings. Wingspan 34mm.
The caterpillar feeds on sorrels and docks.
It flies February to November in one, two, three or even four broods. It is found on heath, wasteland, and grasslands of all kinds. Common and widespread.
Photographs of Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) taken August 2007 and May 2008 in local fields, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2007 & 2008. Camera used Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W1.
Nature Journeys 