Despite its name the Scarce Copper is by no means rare and can be common in some mountainous areas, such as the Pyrenees where it was by far the commonest copper during my visit. It is a wonderful species with the males possessing one of the most vibrant uppersides of any European butterfly, whilst the females are a duller orange with brown markings. It could be mistaken for the Large or Grecian Coppers but its underside (which has white spots) in unique to this species.

Distribution: Much of Europe but sporadic in the south and west. Absent from Britain and Ireland, much of France and Spain, Portugal, northern Fennoscandia, S Italy and the Mediterranean islands.

Flight Period: Late June-late August in one brood.

Habitat: Flower-rich meadows, alpine grasslands, heath margins and woodland clearings. Often above 1000m in the south of its range.

Foodplant: Sorrels (Rumex).

Nectar Sources: Very fond of Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), but also Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), scabiouses (Knautia), Ground-elder (Aegopodium podagraria) and Marjoram (Origanum majorana).

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