Forewings bright orange ground colour, with brown spots and brown margin ? its hindwings are brown with an orange band and pointed rear margin. Underwing is much paler a greyish brown with black spots and a buffish brown margin. The Small Copper is usually seen in ones and twos, but in some years large numbers may be found at good sites.
Though it remains a common and widespread species throughout the U.K. the Small Copper declined throughout its range during the twentieth century.
It occurs in a wide variety of habitats: chalk grassland, moorland, heathland, coastal dunes and undercliffs, woodland clearings, and unimproved grassland. This species may be found also in small patches of land such as set-aside fields, roadside verges, railway embankments, allotments, churchyards, and waste ground, even in cities. Warm, dry situations are especially favoured.
The Male small copper is extremely territorial and sets out to defend it's teritory, even if the offender is much larger than it's self.
