Description
The Bronze Copper (Tharsalea hyllus) is a medium-sized butterfly with bright orange forewings bordered in dark brown, metallic bronze hindwings with orange spots, and pale undersides marked by black dots, commonly found in wet meadows, marshes, and along waterways across eastern and central North America.
Range
It is found throughout the state near wetlands even near urban areas. The first one I saw in the state was in an industrial strip mall parking lot drainage ditch in St. Paul.
Similar Species
Could be confused with Gray Copper due to size, but that species has little to no orange markings.
Host Plants
Curly Dock (Rumex crispus), Water Dock (Rumex orbiculatus), Other Dock Species (Rumex spp.)
Flight
June until frost