Lilac Bordered Copper

Resident in somewhat patchy distributions of western North America (Scott 1986). Habitats are CANADIAN TO HUDSONIAN/ALPINE ZONE ROCKY VALLEY BOTTOMS, OPEN WOODLAND, SAGEBRUSH TERRACES NEAR STREAMS. Hosts plants are usually herbaceous Polygonum douglassii (POLYGONACEAE). Eggs are laid singly at or near the base of the host plant. Individuals overwinter as eggs. There is one flight each year with the approximate flight time JUN30-AUG1 (Scott 1986).

Lycaena nivalis, the lilac-bordered copper or nivalis copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in the western mountains of North America.

The wingspan is 25–29 mm. Adults are on wing from July to mid-August.

The larvae feed on Polygonum douglasii.