Lycaenidae: Lycaeninae

07039 Sooty Copper Lycaena tityrus, (Poda, 1761)

BF1564 (ABH61.022)

Mesta river valley, SW Bulgaria, 6th July 2011, male.
Mesta river valley, SW Bulgaria, 6th July 2011, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Mesta river valley, SW Bulgaria, 6th July 2011, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 2010-2016
 2017
 2018
 2019
Arda valley, Eastern Rhodopi Mtns., 27th June 2012, male.
Arda valley, Eastern Rhodopi Mtns., 27th June 2012, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Dobarsko, Rila Mtns., 15th July 2013. Male.
Dobarsko, Rila Mtns., 15th July 2013. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Mesta river valley, SW Bulgaria, 6th July 2011, female.
Mesta river valley, SW Bulgaria, 6th July 2011, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Melnik, 13th May 2014. Female.
Melnik, 13th May 2014. Female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
near Gotse Delchev, SW Bulgaria, 2th June 2005, female.
near Gotse Delchev, SW Bulgaria, 2th June 2005, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Madzharovo, Eastern Rhodopi Mtns., 22nd June 2005, female.
Madzharovo, Eastern Rhodopi Mtns., 22nd June 2005, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Mesta river valley, SW Bulgaria, 6th July 2011, female.
Mesta river valley, SW Bulgaria, 6th July 2011, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Arda valley, Eastern Rhodopi Mtns., 27th June 2012, female.
Arda valley, Eastern Rhodopi Mtns., 27th June 2012, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Bulgaria, 29th June 2005, female.
Bulgaria, 29th June 2005, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Arda valley, Eastern Rhodopi Mtns., 27th June 2012, female.
Arda valley, Eastern Rhodopi Mtns., 27th June 2012, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Madzharovo, Eastern Rhodopi Mtns., Bulgaria. 17th May 2019. Female.
Madzharovo, Eastern Rhodopi Mtns., Bulgaria. 17th May 2019. Female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

A very widespread and common species, but rarely seen in any numbers. It occurs in the lowlands and up to moderate altitues, in our experience to nearly 1700m in Bulgaria.


Foodplant(s): Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa), Sheep's Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
Flying: According to the literature It has two or three broods and flies from April to October
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Least Concern

Habitat

The butterfly occurs in meadows, woodland glades etc. where its larvae feeds on docks and sorrels, especially, Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa), said to be it's main foodplant. 

Regional Information

Recorded in 107 (5.6%) of the 1900 10km squares of Bulgaria.

Last recorded in June 2019

Recorded date range (Adult): 04 May to 12 August


Least Concern