i26 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



Polyommatus elens, Gerhard, Mon. Lye. pi. 5, fig. i (1853). 

 Polyommatus turdcus^ Guerin, /. c. figs. $a~c (1853). 



This is the only species of the genus which was ever generally 

 common in England. It is abundant throughout the British 

 islands from April to October (there being a succession of 

 broods), as well as throughout Europe, Asia as far as the 

 Himalayas, and again in North America. It is found in 

 meadows, heaths, gardens, &c., often in company with Poly- 

 ommalus icarus. 



The Small Copper is one of the smaller species of the genus, 

 generally measuring about an inch across the wings, which are 

 similarly coloured in both sexes. The fore-wings are bright 

 copper-red, with broad dark brown borders, a black spot at the 

 end of the cell, and another nearer the base, and a row of 

 black spots beyond. The hind-wings are black, with a sub- 

 marginal copper band, spotted with black on the outside. On 

 the under side the fore-wings are paler coppery, with greyish 

 hind-margins, preceded by a more or less developed row of 

 black spots ; the spots as above, but slightly ocellated, and 

 with two spots in the cell within the discoidal spot. The hind- 

 wings are brownish-grey, with several more or less distinct 

 black dots, and an orange sub-marginal band. 



The larva is green, with more or less distinct dorsal and 

 lateral lines ; the head is reddish or yellowish. It feeds on 

 Rumex acetosa, and on other species of sorrel. The pupa is 

 whitish, speckled with black or brown, " suspended by the tail 

 and a silken girth to the stem or leaf of its foodplant" 

 (Barrett}. 



This is a very variable species, the spots of the upper side 

 being sometimes almost absent, and at other times agglomerated 

 together into large blotches. Very frequently the copper sub- 

 marginal band on the hind- wings is preceded by a row of blue 

 spots. 



