Small Copper
Lycaena phlaeas
National Status
Found in wide range of habitats throughout the UK, range contracting. Population trend 10 years to 2016 -19%; since 1976 -37%.
West Midlands Status
Widespread – range stable. Population trend 10 years to 2016 – stable.
Small Copper was recorded in 589 squares in 2026
10 Year Trend Analysis
Habitat
Likes dry places including heathland – colonial but will wander. Found in all types of grassland including on acid soils, but absent from intensively farmed areas.
Caterpillar Food Plant
The main foodplants are Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and Sheep’s Sorrel (Rumex acetosella). Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) is also used.
Refer to the Gardening for butterflies website by Joseph Shaffery for more details about caterpillar food plants and nectar sources.
Life Cycle
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Egg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larva | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pupa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adult | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flight Period
Usually two generations in the West Midlands: April–June, particularly early May, and late July–October, with some November records in a good year.
First/Last Sightings 2026
| First Sighting | Recorded by | Last Sighting | Recorded by |
| 23 April | Catherine Worrall | 18 October | Hunt, Glenn |
Distribution Map
Key
Total number of sightings per tetrad
Hotspots
Malvern Hills and Ryall (Worcestershire); Earl's Hill, Prees Heath and The Bog (Shropshire); Highgate Common (Staffordshire) and Shobdon Hill (Herefordshire).