Lycaenidae: Lycaeninae

07042 Balkan Copper Lycaena candens, (Herrich-Schäffer, 1844)

BF -- (ABH61.000)

Smolyan Lakes, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 20th June 2013, male.
Smolyan Lakes, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 20th June 2013, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Smolyan Lakes, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 20th June 2013, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 2010-2016
 2017
 2018
 2019
Central Stara Planina, 3rd July 2015.
Central Stara Planina, 3rd July 2015.
 Photo © David Irvin
SW Rila Mtns., 10th July 2013, male.
SW Rila Mtns., 10th July 2013, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Smolyan Lakes, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 20th June 2013. Male.
Smolyan Lakes, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 20th June 2013. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
SW Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, female.
SW Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
SW Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, female.
SW Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
SW Rila Mtns., 10th July 2013, female.
SW Rila Mtns., 10th July 2013, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Smolyan Lakes, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 20th June 2013, female.
Smolyan Lakes, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 20th June 2013, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Kartala, Rila Mtns., 25th July 2010, female.
Kartala, Rila Mtns., 25th July 2010, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
SW Rila Mtns., 10th July 2013, male.
SW Rila Mtns., 10th July 2013, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
SW Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, male.
SW Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Popovi Livadi, Pirin Mtns. 30th June 2006.
Popovi Livadi, Pirin Mtns. 30th June 2006.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
SW Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, female.
SW Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
SW Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, male & female.
SW Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, male & female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
SW Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, male & female.
SW Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, male & female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
SW Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, male & female.
SW Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, male & female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Shipka Pass, Central Stara Planina, 12th July 2014. Male.
Shipka Pass, Central Stara Planina, 12th July 2014. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Shipka Pass, Central Stara Planina, 12th July 2014. Female.
Shipka Pass, Central Stara Planina, 12th July 2014. Female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Shipka Pass, Central Stara Planina, 12th July 2014. Female.
Shipka Pass, Central Stara Planina, 12th July 2014. Female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Smolyan Lakes, 20th June 2013.
Smolyan Lakes, 20th June 2013.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Western Stara Planina (near Kom), 7th July 2014.
Western Stara Planina (near Kom), 7th July 2014.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Kartala, Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013.
Kartala, Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Wesgtern Rhodpe Mountains, July 2008
Wesgtern Rhodpe Mountains, July 2008
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

In Europe it is restricted to the Balkan Peninsula (SE Europe). It is extremely similar in appearance to the Purple-edged Copper (Lycaena hippothoe), and was separated from that species in the 1990s. The male genitalia are distinctive. The Purple-edged Copper is not known to occur in Bulgaria.


Flying: June and July in a single generation.

Habitat

Damp and often boggy flower-rich meadows and glades. Geum coccineum, with its bright orange flowers is frequently a feature of sites where the Balkan Copper is found.

Regional Information

Widespread and locally common in mountainous areas from moderate altitudes up to above 2000m. It has also been recorded at lower altitudes near the Black Sea coast.


Recorded in 26 (1.4%) of the 1900 10km squares of Bulgaria.

Last recorded in July 2017

Recorded date range (Adult): 08 June to 31 July