BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Lycaena nivalis
Lilac-bordered Copper
| Scientific Name: | Lycaena nivalis |
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| English Name: | Lilac-bordered Copper |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S3 |
| Date Status Assigned: | December 06, 1999 |
| Date Last Reviewed: | February 01, 2020 |
| Reasons: | |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | E = 5,000-20,000 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | The species occurs within the southern border of BC from the south Okangan valley to the Greenwood area and as far north as Terrace Mountain near Vernon (Layberry et al. 1998). The estimated range extent is 30,000 km square (based on records from Guppy and Shepard (2001); Kondla (2003); UBC (2006)). |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | U = Unknown |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | C = 21 - 80 |
| Comments: | Over 30 occurrences are recorded for this species. Guppy and Shepard (2001) show over 15 occurrences. The species has been recorded on Anarchist Mountain near Osoyoos (UBC Entomological Museum records); Shorts Creek canyon near Fintry; Mt. Kobau; Phoenix Ski Hill near Greenwood; Rock Creek along Bridesville Road; Mt. Baldy (Kondla 2003); Zeroe and Bridesville (UBC 2006). Additional occurrences include Vernon; Westbank (Lamley Creek, Bear Creek) (Guppy 2006). |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | The earliest records for this species are from 1900 at Zeroe, BC (UBC 2006). Many of the recent records are from areas that may be influenced by range grazing, but for the most part the occurrences are likely not changing. |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | A = None |
| Comments: | None of the records are from within protected areas. |
| Population Size: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | One to five specimens are observed at one time (based on Kondla 2003 dataset). Information on population size is unknown. |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | C = Medium |
| Comments: | This species occurs in the southern Okanagan, and there are significant threats to low elevation areas in this region of BC. Urban and rural land conversion, overgrazing, invasive species and changes to hydrology are having negative effects on the ecosystems in this region. At higher elevations, overgrazing and invasive species are threats (SOSCP 2008). Mining and other forms of mineral exploration could also threaten this species. |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | U = Unknown |
| Long-Term Trend: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | Trend is likely stable over the long term, unless urban and rural expansion starts to occur at higher elevations. |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | B=Moderately vulnerable |
| Environmental Specificity: | B=Narrow. Specialist or community with key requirements common. |
| Comments: | Lycaena nivalis larvae depend on Douglas's knotweed (Polygonum douglasii) for its survival (Layberry et al.1998). Without these plants the species is vulnerable to extirpation at a site. Adults are known to nectar on Eriogonum species (Guppy and Shepard 2001). |
| Other Rank Considerations: | The species is only observed in small numbers, indicating perhaps habitat specificity, low dispersal or specific environmental requirements at a given site. |
| 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: | Butterflies in the southern Okanagan, especially at higher elevations. |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | This species is not known to occur in any protected area. |
| Management: | Best management practises guidelines for private landowners, rancher and forest and range workers. |
| Version | |
| Author: | Heron, J. |
| Date: | November 22, 2012 |
| References | |
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Guppy, C. 2006. Guppy's Lepidoptera observation database.
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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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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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South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program. 2008. South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program Website. Online. Available: http://www.soscp.org/ (accessed August 5, 2008).
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University of British Columbia. 2006. Spencer Entomology Museum's Butterfly Collection Database.
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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 nivalis. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 6, 2026).