This post will focus on the Coppers. There were perhaps a dozen or so, just in one small area we looked at - bright, perky and beautiful. The surrounding vegetation included the butterfly's habitat plant Muehlenbeckia, Coprosma robusta and a variety of course beach grasses. Right on the west coast, it was a particularly windy spot, however the butterflies are clearly managing there just fine.
The Coastal (Common) Copper (Lycaena salustius) is a small butterfly up to 33 mm of the Lycaenidae family. It is found only in New Zealand. They are common in mid summer in warm open places and are attracted to blackberry flowers. Markings are very variable, especially the female. The green slug like caterpillars of this butterfly feed on the plant species: Polygonaceae, Muehlenbeckia and Rumex. REF: TERRAIN.NET.NZ |
I have to say, they were just so beautiful to see. Wow and super wow.
Click on each picture to see a larger view..........