2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA -SOOTY COOPER BUTTERFLY (Lycaena tityrus)

Lycaena tityrus, the sooty copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Europe.

The wingspan is 28–30 millimetres (1.1–1.2 in). The butterfly flies from April to October, depending on the location and subspecies (L. t. subalpina is univoltine in July).

The larvae feed on Rumex acetosa and Rumex acetosella.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - SOOTY COOPER BUTTERFLY (Lycaena tityrus)

 Lycaena tityrus, the sooty copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Europe.

Subspecies

Lycaena tityrus tityrus (Poda, 1761) TL: Graz, Austria. Throughout Europe from Russia to central N. Spain.

Lycaena tityrus subalpina (Speyer, 1851) TL: Patscherkofel, Innsbruck, Austria. In the Alps at high altitudes.

Lycaena tityrus praebleusei Verity 1934 TL: Puerto de Pajares, Asturias, Spain. In NW. Iberia and W. France.

Lycaena bleusei (Oberthür, 1884) which has often been considered a subspecies of L. tityrus, has recently been confirmed as a species on its own according to genetics, wing-pattern variation, niche modelling and distribution.

The wingspan is 28–30 millimetres (1.1–1.2 in). The butterfly flies from April to October, depending on the location and subspecies (L. t. subalpina is univoltine in July).

The larvae feed on Rumex acetosa and Rumex acetosella.