Download SPECIES FACT SHEET

SPECIES FACT SHEET
Scientific Name: Lycaena mariposa charlottensis
Common Name: Makah Copper
Technical Description:
A small (< 3 cm) orange, gray, and black butterfly. Dorsal forewing and
hindwings are brown with black spots, The forewing has orange patches in
the outer half, and the hindwing has an orange band near the outer margin.
The ventral forewing is gray with black spots and an orange wash on the
outer half. The ventral hindwing is mottled gray and black. Eggs, larvae, and
pupae are hard to find and hard to identify. WA coastal populations may
represent a different subspecies than L.m. charlottensis (Pyle 2002).
Life History:
The single flight of adults is between July and August. Individuals overwinter
as eggs. Adults fly in August. Larvae feed on native cranberries. In WA,
feeding has been observed on Vaccinium oxycoccus. In BC, ovipositioning
has also been seen on V. uliginosum and Andromeda polifolia (Guppy and
Shepard 2001, Pyle 2002). Adults nectar on a variety of plants. Patches of
suitable habitat are relatively stable and often isolated from each other. The
butterfly is not an especially strong flier. It may not be a good colonist.
Range, Distribution, and Abundance:
Range-wide: In BC, it is found in the northern Coast Ranges, the Queen
Charlotte Islands, and on Vancouver Island. In WA, it is found in coastal
areas from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the mouth of the Columbia River.
Relatively common in BC, rare and local in WA.
WA: Two recent locations are known, Ahlstrom Prairie and North Bay Bog.
There is an historic record at Ilwaco. Bogs on Olympic Peninsula have not
been surveyed. Individuals found near Shelton and Dungeness River may be
of this subspecies. Sites range from eastern to western Clallam Co. and
south to Columbia River. Habitat forms small patches within the range. Few
sites are known, but much habitat is unsurveyed. No population estimates
are available, but as with most invertebrates, the number of individuals is
less important than the number of populations.
OR: This species has not been found and is not expected in OR.
Federal Land: This species is known from Olympic National Park. It is not
currently known from Olympic National Forest, but may be found there.
Habitat Associations:
Found in bogs along the coast and inland where native cranberries are
present.
Threats:
Range-wide: Logging, drainage of wetlands, and road construction are likely
threats.
WA: Threat posed by logging is low for known sites; both are protected.
Logging, road construction and wetland drainage threaten potential habitat.
Logging may have created additional habitat, but woody encroachment in
these created habitats may be reducing habitat quality. Commercial
cranberry bog development along the WA coast has destroyed much historic
habitat.
Conservation Considerations:
Inventory: Survey bog habitat near the coast.
Management: Maintain/conserve bogs with cranberries, especially at low
elevation.
Other Pertinent Information:
References:
Global References:
Guppy, C. S. and J. H. Shepard. 2001. Butterflies of British Columbia. UBC Press
(Vancouver, BC) and Royal British Columbia Museum (Victoria, BC). 414 pp.
Opler, P. A., and A. D. Warren. 2002. Butterflies of North America. 2. Scientific
Names List for Butterfly Species of North America, north of Mexico. C.P Gillette
Museum of Arthropod Diversity, Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest
Management, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. 79 pp.
Warren, A.D. 2005. Butterflies of Oregon: their taxonomy, distribution, and biology.
Lepidoptera of North America 6. C.P. Gillette Museum. Colorado State University.
Fort Collins, CO. 408 pp.
State References:
Fleckenstein, J.W. 1997. Field survey with Dave Hays to Ahlstrom's Prairie of 21-22
August.
Hinchliff, J. 1996. Records used in the atlas of butterfly records from Washington.
Unpublished
Pyle, R.M. 2002. The butterflies of Cascadia. Seattle Audubon Society. Seattle, WA.
420 pp.
Version:
Prepared by: John Fleckenstein
Natural Heritage Program
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Date: January 2006
Edited by: Rob Huff
Conservation Planning Coordinator
FS/BLM-Portland
June 2007