Insects play a very important role in the living forest (pollinate process, natural housekeeping, food for songbirds,…)
Most of them can be found in sunny open spaces.
The Small Copper is a rather little butterfly with a size that is hardly a quarter of the normally known size of a common butterfly.
But in bright sun it is a very active butterfly with the males setting up small territories which they will defend vigorously against rival males or indeed any unlucky passing insect.
Even the shadow of a large bird passing overhead is enough to get him going.
Dutch name : Vuurvlindertje
German name : Kleiner Feuerfalter
Latin name : Lycaena phlaeas