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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