How about an adult Lep today. I’ve shared images before of the bronze copper (Lycaena hyllus), a larger and arguably more attractive Lycaenid in the same genus as today’s featured butterfly. The American copper (Lycaena phlaeas #4251) is seemingly harder to find in Missouri. In early June, Casey led the WGNSS Nature Photography Group to a known patch in Green County where we were lucky enough to find a few.
American copper is a rather unfortunate name for Lycaena phlaeas. Among the most widespread of any butterfly species, it is found across central and northern North America as well as across Eurasia and in mountainous regions in northern Africa.
A Thousand Acres of Silphiums 
