Wisconsin Native Caterpillars
Bronze Copper Caterpillar
Genus-Species: Lycaena hyllus
Description: Velvety yellow-green with a dark
green stripe.
Chrysalis: Green or light tan with dark speckles.
Sometimes suffused with red.
Host Plants: Herbs of the buckwheat family
(Polygonaceae) including curly dock (Rumex crispus).
Habitat: Wetlands and wetland edges where various
species of docks and knotweeds are available as host plants.
Comments: The Bronze Copper has been found
throughout Wisconsin except for the northernmost counties, and is common in the southern
counties. It is found in moister habitats than the American Copper, and edges of wetland areas are
prime spots for this showy butterfly. The butterfly is often found perching on vegetationw hen
good nectar sources like Swamp Milkweed are available.