Lebanon is home to a rich diversity of butterflies, with 165 recorded species spanning five main families. Among these is the Lesser Fiery Copper (Lycaena thersamon omphale), a stunning butterfly belonging to the Lycaenidae family. This species, with its striking orange-red coloration and delicate wing patterns, is a remarkable sight in Lebanon’s natural landscapes.
The Beauty of the Lesser Fiery Copper
The Lesser Fiery Copper is a small but vibrant butterfly with a wingspan of approximately 28-34 mm. The males are particularly eye-catching with their fiery orange upper wings bordered with black, while the females exhibit a more subdued pattern with dark brown edging. The underside of the wings features a pale orange-brown color with a series of black spots, allowing for camouflage in natural surroundings.
Habitat and Behavior
This butterfly thrives in dry, grassy habitats, meadows, and open fields. It is commonly found in lowland areas but can also be observed in higher altitudes where suitable host plants are available. The Lesser Fiery Copper is an active species, often seen basking in the sun or fluttering close to the ground as it searches for nectar-rich flowers.
The larval stage of this species primarily feeds on various plants from the Polygonaceae family, such as Rumex species. These host plants provide essential nutrients for the development of the caterpillar before pupation. The adult butterflies play a crucial role in pollination, contributing to the ecological balance of Lebanon’s flora.
Threats and Conservation
Despite its widespread distribution, the Lesser Fiery Copper faces several threats, including habitat loss due to urbanization, agricultural expansion, and climate change. Conservation efforts focusing on habitat protection and sustainable land use are crucial to ensuring the survival of this butterfly in Lebanon.
Organizations such as the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) actively work to safeguard the country’s rich biodiversity, including butterfly species like the Lesser Fiery Copper. Initiatives that promote the protection of natural grasslands and the planting of native flora help maintain healthy butterfly populations.
Lebanon’s diverse butterfly fauna is a testament to the country’s rich ecosystems, and species like the Lesser Fiery Copper serve as indicators of environmental health. Protecting their natural habitats and promoting biodiversity conservation are essential steps in ensuring these delicate creatures continue to grace Lebanon’s landscapes for generations to come.
Checklist of Butterflies of Lebanon
Lebanon boasts an impressive 165 species of butterflies, classified under five main families:
PAPILIONIDAE (Swallowtails & Festoon Butterflies)
- Common Swallowtail (Papilio machaon syriacus)
- Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio alexanor maccabaeus)
- Pear-Tree Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius virgatus)
- Eastern Festoon (Allancastria cerisyi speciosa)
- Lebanese Festoon (Allancastria deyrollei eisneri)
- False Apollo (Archon apollinus bellargus)
- Little False Apollo (Archon apollinaris)
- Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne syra)
PIERIDAE (Whites & Yellows)
- African Migrant (Catopsilia florella florella)
- Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni meridionalis)
- Powdered Brimstone (Gonepteryx farinosa farinosa)
- Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra taurica)
- Broad-Bordered Grass Yellow (Eurema brigitta brigitta)
- Caper White (Belenois aurota aurota)
- Salmon Caper (Colotis fausta fausta)
- Black-Veined White (Aporia crataegi augustior)
- Wood White (Leptidea sinapis sinapis)
- Eastern Wood White (Leptidea duponcheli xanthochroa)
- Orange-Tip (Anthocharis cardamines phoenissa)
- Eastern Orange-Tip (Anthocharis damone syra)
- Greenish Black-Tip (Euchloe charlonia charlonia)
- Eastern Greenish Black-Tip (Euchloe penia penia)
- Dappled White (Euchloe ausonia crameri)
- Green-Striped White (Euchloe belemia belemia)
- Bath White (Pontia daplidice daplidice)
- Peak White (Pontia callidice libanotica)
- Large White (Pieris brassicae catoleuca)
- Small White (Pieris rapae leucosoma)
- Green-Veined White (Pieris napi dubiosa)
- Mountain Small White (Pieris ergane detersa)
- False Small White (Pieris pseudorapae pseudorapae)
- Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus croceus)
- Eastern Clouded Yellow (Colias erate erate)
- Lebanon Clouded Yellow (Colias aurorina libanotica)
LYCAENIDAE (Blues, Coppers & Hairstreaks)
- Blue-Spot Hairstreak (Satyrium spini melantho)
- Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium ilicis bischoffi)
- Lebanese Hairstreak (Satyrium myrtale myrtale)
- Orange-Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium ledereri nazeri)
- Gerhard’s Black Hairstreak (Satyrium abdominalis persica)
- Guichard’s Hairstreak (Satyrium guichardi)
- Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi intermedia)
- Purple Hairstreak (Quercusia quercus quercus)
- Pomegranate Hairstreak (Deudorix livia livia)
- Long-Tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus boeticus)
- Lang’s Short-Tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous pirithous)
- Little Tiger Blue (Tarucus balkanicus balkanicus)
- Mediterranean Tiger Blue (Tarucus rosaceus rosaceus)
- Small Mauve Blue (Zizeeria karsandra karsandra)
- Dark Grass Blue (Zizeeria knysna)
- African Babul Blue (Azanus jesous gamra)
- Desert Babul Blue (Azanus ubaldus)
- Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus paraleuca)
- Green-Underside Blue (Glaucopsyche alexis aeruginosa)
- Iolas Blue (Iolana iolas)
- Chequered Blue (Pseudophilotes vicrama astabene)
- Odd-Spot Blue (Turanana endymion endymion)
- Northern Blue (Plebejus idas selda)
- Baldur Blue (Plebejus baldur)
- Silver-Studded Blue (Plebejus argus bellus)
- Large Jewel Blue (Plebejus loewii antilibanotica)
- Zephyr Blue (Plebejus pylaon sephirus)
- Nicholl’s Zephyr Blue (Plebejus nichollae nichollae)
- Eastern Brown Argus (Plebejus carmon euaemon)
- Lebanese Blue (Aricia bassoni bassoni)
- Starry-Backed Blue (Aricia dorsumstellae)
- Taurus Blue (Aricia isaurica)
- Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus zelleri)
- Amanda’s Blue (Polyommatus amandus brenda)
- Mazarine Blue (Polyommatus semiargus semiargus)
- Eastern Mazarine Blue (Polyommatus bellis antiochena)
- Lebanese Adonis Blue (Polyommatus syriacus syriacus)
- Cedar Mountain Blue (Polyommatus ellisoni ellisoni)
- Poseidon Blue (Polyommatus poseidon mesopotamica)
- Lesser Fiery Copper (Lycaena thersamon omphale)
Photographs copyrights of Husein Ali Zorkot, Butterfly Garden Manager, SPNL 2021
