BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Lycaena hyllus
Bronze Copper
| Scientific Name: | Lycaena hyllus |
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| English Name: | Bronze Copper |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S3 |
| Date Status Assigned: | April 20, 2000 |
| Date Last Reviewed: | February 01, 2020 |
| Reasons: | Even though there have been increased reports of this species, the species is still rare in the landscape. |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | F = 20,000-200,000 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | Lycaena hyllus is known from the Liard River area in northeastern BC, and scattered locations on the east side of the Rocky Mountain trench in the Alberta area (Guppy and Shepard 2001). There are records in the Peace River area (Keystone 2012) and the Flathead area of southeastern BC (Royal BC Museum 2008; Kondla 2003). There is much unchecked habitat inbetween, making it difficult to measure the range extent with accuracy. Range extent is estimated at 100,000 km square, including unchecked habitat between occurrences. |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | U = Unknown |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | BC = 6 - 80 |
| Comments: | One occurrence along the Liard River Road in 1999 (Guppy and Shepard 2001) in northeastern BC. One occurrence is within the Corbin area along Flathead Road (Kondla 2003), and another specimen was reported by Nicholson (2003) at the Flathead Townsite (specimen housed at Royal BC Museum records 2008). There are 3 records in the Peace Region from 2008 (Keystone 2012). Likely more occurrences exist. |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | A = None (zero) |
| Comments: | Two occurrences are likely with good viability, the Flathead Townsite (Kondla 2003; Royal BC Museum 2008) and Liard River Road (Guppy and Shepard 2001). |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | A = None |
| Comments: | Species is not known to occur within a protected area. |
| Population Size: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | Only one or two specimens were observed at one time, according to specimens collected by Kondla (2003) and Nicholson (as per Royal BC Musuem 2008). |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | D = Low |
| Comments: | The species is known to occur in low wet areas where food plants are known to occur, such as bogs, marshes, wet meadows and the edges of ponds (Layberry et al.1998). The range within which this species occurs includes the northeastern portion of BC, down through the Fernie area, and since the species is considered local and uncommon (Layberry et al.1998), it is likely stable. |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | G = Relatively Stable (<=10% change) |
| Comments: | The species is known to occur in low wet areas where food plants are known to occur, such as bogs, marshes, wet meadows and the edges of ponds (Layberry et al. 1998). The range within which this species occurs includes the northeastern portion of BC, down through the Fernie area, and since the species is considered local and uncommon (Layberry et al.1998), it is likely stable. |
| Long-Term Trend: | FH = Decline of <30% to increase of 25% |
| Comments: | Over the long term, the species may decline if threats to the species wetland habitats occur. |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | U=Unknown |
| Environmental Specificity: | B=Narrow. Specialist or community with key requirements common. |
| Comments: | All butterflies require specific larval and nectar food plants. The Bronze Copper larvae feed on curled dock (Rumex crispus), water dock (Rumex orbiculatus) and knowtweed (Polygonum spp.). The adults nectar on flowers within the same habitat (Layberry et al.1998). |
| Other Rank Considerations: | Species is considered local and uncommon and is known to fly only when disturbed (Layberry et al. 1998). Not very many specimens collected for the species, or observational records, although its range is extensive between occurrences and there is ample suitable habitat inbetween. |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | Research is required to more accurately quantify specific habitat requirements including food plant density and patch size; species' dispersal capabilities, reproductive success and population viability; potential impacts of predation, parasitism, climatic variation, small population size, and population isolation is also needed. Research is required to assess the potential threats to habitat from grazing, invasive weeds, and wild fire. Research into life history, and food plant clarification. |
| Inventory Needs: | Inventory of wetlands, marshes, bogs and similar habitats for butterflies. |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | This species is not known to occur within a protected area. Inventory of protected areas within the species range and with habitat suitable for this species should be inventoried. |
| Management: | Best management practises guidelines for private landowners with bogs, marshes, wetlands and similar habitats. |
| Version | |
| Author: | Heron, J. |
| Date: | November 22, 2012 |
| References | |
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Guppy, C.S., and J.H. Shepard. 2001. Butterflies of British Columbia. UBC Press in collaboration with Royal B.C. Mus. 414pp.
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Keystone Wildlife Research Ltd. 2012. Electronic database containing baseline inventory data for flora and fauna within the Site C dam footprint. Data collected and prepared for B.C. Hydro.
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Kondla, N. 2003. N. Kondla's Lepidoptera observation database.
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Layberry, R. A., P. W. Hall, and J. D. LaFontaine. 1998. The butterflies of Canada. University of Toronto Press. 280pp. + color plates.
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Nicholson, D. 2003. Dean Nicholson's Lepidoptera Records, 2003.
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Royal British Columbia Museum (RBCM). 2006. RBCM Lepidoptera Collection.
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Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for information on how the CDC determines conservation status ranks. For global conservation status reports and ranks, please visit the NatureServe website http://www.natureserve.org/.
Suggested Citation:
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2012. Conservation Status Report: Lycaena hyllus. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 13, 2026).