The caterpillar is green, spotted and striped with white, and feeds on the bramble; also on the broom, and other plants of the same order.
The butterfly appears first in May and June, and again in August, it being double-brooded. It is found flying about rough brambly hedges, and often settles on the outer leaves of low trees about a dozen feet from the ground. It seems to occur generally throughout the country, and extends into the southern parts of Scotland. It has been found in many localities close to London.
THE SMALL COPPER BUTTERFLY. (Chrysophanus Phlæas.)
([Plate XIII]. fig. 1.)
We now arrive at a genus characterized by the splendid golden or burnished coppery lustre and tint of their wings; of which, however, the present little species is the only one that remains to us, should the "Large Copper" be really (as it is feared) extinct.
This little, but lively representative of the genus, is one of our commonest and most widely distributed butterflies, flashing about in the sunshine, joining in a dance with the no less lively blues, or settling on the lilac flowers of the scabious, &c., whose soft tones set off to the best advantage the metallic effulgence of this little gem.
The caterpillar feeds on sorrel leaves; is green, with three red stripes.
The chrysalis and caterpillar both resemble in shape those of the Hair-streaks.