Common name : The common copper
Scientific name : Lycaena salustius
Family : Lycaenidae
Native to : New Zealand
Interesting fact : An extremely small butterfly, the common copper is found abundantly in summers over blackberry plants.
This butterfly has a wingspan of 33 mm, and the adults only live for 1 to 2 weeks. The female lays the eggs on the leaves of the plant which is consumed as food by the larvae. They reside in open country areas, from sub-alpine tussock lands to coastal areas. Their food is comprised of the variations of the wire vine plants.
