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.
Caterpillars come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. Some caterpillars are quite hairy,
while others are smooth. Despite differences between species, though, all caterpillars
share certain morphological features.
Take this quick quiz and see how much you know about caterpillars. This quiz is intended for fun, in
a random-facts-can-be-cool kind of way.
How does this magic happen? Learn about metamorphosis - the process of transformation from an
immature form to an adult bitterfly.