A few days ago I spotted these delightful Maui's Copper Butterflies (Lycaena edna), on the tiny spit of land between Matauri Bay and Putataua Bay, Northland, New Zealand.
There weren't many, however, those that were there seemed in quite pristine condition.
Maui's Copper (Lycaena edna) is said to only be found in the North Island of New Zealand.
It is a recent split off, as it's own separate species, whereas previously it had been thought to be a subspecies of the Common Copper (Lycaena salustius).
In the past few years there have been many considerations regarding the classifications of Copper butterflies in New Zealand.
Originally it was thought there were four Lycaena species in New Zealand, however now it is agreed there are seven.
Here is the current revised break-down.
The Common Copper has been split into Coastal Copper and Maui’s Copper.
The Glade Copper has been identified as having the ‘enysii’ variation, so is now called North Island Glade Copper.
Rauparaha’s Copper remains unchanged.
The Boulder Copper classification has also been split into two, with the introduction of the Canterbury Alpine Boulder Copper.
(Links here take you to the classifications on iNaturalist.nz website)
Click on each picture below to see a larger view...................
location of the butterflies I saw.