Lycaena rubidus

Common Name
Ruddy Copper

A distinctive species of the East slope and northeastern California, oddly not present in Sierra Valley but recorded intermittently at Donner and certainly breeding there at times over the history of this project, though not every year. Found in moist, grassy areas with (usually native) Docks (Rumex), the host plants. Males perch on low vegetation; both sexes often visit Coyotemint, Eriogonum and yellow Composite flowers. One brood beginning in midsummer (July-August at Donner).