Common name: Small Copper.

Scientific name: Lycaena phlaeas phlaeoides (Staudinger, 1901)

Family: Lycaenidae

Distribution and Habitat: They form colonies in open fields covered in grass and flowers. It may also be found in the Laurissilva, above 500 m. They are extremely spread out but, in general, they are not very common.

Description: Its size may be 24-35 mm. Males and females have a similar aspect, although females have more rounded wings. Butterflies with a polished copper coloured wings and dark brown marks. Hindwings have an orange sub marginal stripe and underdeveloped tails. Some species have a bright orange colouration and other are heavily covered in brown and black.

Conservation statute and Threats: Not very common.

Observations: -