Lycaena mariposa
| Lycaena mariposa | ||||||||||||
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Lycaena mariposa , male |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Lycaena mariposa | ||||||||||||
| ( Reakirt , 1866) |
Lycaena mariposa is a butterfly ( butterfly ) from the family of Gossamer (Lycaenidae).
description
butterfly
The wingspan of the moth is 29 to 32 millimeters. There is a strong sexual dimorphism between the sexes . The upper sides of the wings of the males shimmer in purple or reddish tones. They show few drawing elements. In the females, on the other hand, orange-brown basic colors predominate, from which dark spots and a dark border stand out. The underside of the forewings of both sexes is yellow-orange in color and has some black spots. The undersides of the hind wings are marbled light gray, which makes the species unmistakable.
Caterpillar
Adult caterpillars have a green basic color and show yellowish lines and stripes. Their total length is on average about 15 millimeters.
distribution and habitat
Lycaena mariposa occurs from southern Alaska via British Columbia along the North American west coast to northern California . To the east, the distribution area extends to Wyoming and Oregon . The species prefers to live in swampy or open forests.
Way of life
The moths form one generation per year. They can be found in July and August. They like to suckle on different flowers to take in nectar. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of the heather family (Ericaceae), in California on Vaccinium arbuscula . The species overwinters as an egg.
Subspecies
In addition to the nominate form Lycaena mariposa mariposa , the following subspecies are distinguished:
- Lycaena mariposa penroseae
- Lycaena mariposa charlottensis
swell
Individual evidence
- ^ Butterflies and Moths of North America http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Lycaena-mariposa
- ↑ female of Lycaena mariposa http://www.jeffpippen.com/butterflies/mariposacopper.htm
- ↑ Distribution http://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/lycaenidae/lycaeninae/lycaena/index.html#mariposa
- ↑ a b James A. Scott: The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1986, ISBN 0-8047-2013-4 , p. 388
- ↑ Butterflies of America http://www.butterfliesofamerica.com/L/t/Lycaena_mariposa_a.htm
- ↑ Butterflies of Canada http://www.cbif.gc.ca/spp_pages/butterflies/species/MariposaCopper_e.php
literature
- James A. Scott: The Butterflies of North America , Stanford University Press, Stanford CA., 1992, ISBN 0-8047-2013-4 , p. 388
Web links
- eol.org - Encyclopedia of Life
- imnh.isu.edu - Mariposa Copper