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Bright Copper (Paralucia aurifer)

Bright Copper

Appearance: Upperside dark brown with an orange patch on each wing. Underside mainly grey-brown with several dark patches and spots. Very similar to the Fiery Copper (Paralucia pyrodiscus).
Wingspan: 2.4 cm
Season: 3–4 generations from spring until autumn.
Range: Temperate regions of south-eastern Australia; from western VIC through eastern NSW and the ACT into south-eastern QLD. Also in parts of TAS.
Habitat: Open forest; from sea level up to 1200 m.
Photo: Male, Ingleburn, NSW, 17 / 10 / 2009.

Notes

This exquisite little butterfly can be found in forests along the east coast of Australia from western VIC into south-eastern QLD. It can also be found in parts of TAS. The Bright Copper can be easily distinguished from the similar Fiery Copper (Paralucia pyrodiscus) through the orange patch on the upperside of the hind wing which is normally missing or extending across the entire hind wing in the Fiery Copper.

Additional Photos

Bright Copper
Upperside of a male with the characteristic bright orange patches. (Ingleburn, NSW, 17 / 10 / 2009)
Bright Copper
Females look very similar, but their wings are more rounded. (Lane Cove NP, NSW, 11 / 09 / 2010)
Bright Copper
The underside (here of a male) is mainly grey-brown with several dark patches and spots. (Ingleburn, NSW, 20 / 02 / 2010)
Bright Copper
The butterflies (here a male) often rest in the vegetation. (Ingleburn, NSW, 17 / 10 / 2009)