Scarce Copper - Cuivré de la verge-d'or (male)

Description:

The males of this copper species are of a bright orange colour on the upper side, and will catch the eye from far away. In its area of distribution (Central Europe; absent from the UK the Netherlands) it is a common butterfly at altitude (1000 - 2000 m), but it can also be found in lower areas although it is less common there.

Habitat:

Meadow with tall plants, 1600 m.

Notes:

The species shows sexual dimorphism: male butterflies are colored bright orange on the upper side, while the females have broader orange wings with a dark design. The ventral view of the hind wings are yellowish and have only a few black dots as well as characteristic white marks in the immediate vicinity of these, helping to differentiate it from similar species (picture 5). On picture 4, seen in the company of Erebia sp.