Lycaena salustius, the common copper or the coastal copper,[1][2] is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is known in the Māori language as pepe para riki, a name that is shared with a few other members of the genus Lycaena native to New Zealand.[1]

Lycaena salustius
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Lycaena
Species:
L. salustius
Binomial name
Lycaena salustius
(Fabricius, 1793)
Synonyms
  • Hesperia salustius Fabricius, 1793
  • Lycaena edna Doubleday, 1843
Male
Lycaena salustius illustrated by Des Helmore

The wingspan is 24–35 mm. Adults are on wing from October to April.

The larvae feed on Muehlenbeckia species.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Arter-Williamson, Robert (28 December 2008). "Common Copper / Pepe Para Riki (Lycaena salustius)". nzButterfly.info. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  2. ^ Vause, Julie. "COASTAL COPPER (Lycaena salustius) Oh, so perky". JULIE'S BUTTERFLIES. Retrieved 14 November 2021.

External links edit