Dorcas Copper!

I'm lucky enough to be working in some very cool habitat northwest of Toronto right now. I've had lots of interesting sightings, including probably my nature highlight of the summer so far.

Dorcas Copper is a small butterfly whose caterpillars feed exclusively on Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa). They are widespread in Northern Ontario, ranging south to the southern Bruce Pensinsula. There are also a few locations much further south in Ontario, with records in the Cambridge Area, as well as historic ones from the Pinery Area and from northwest of Toronto.

That last record is no longer historic! We have come across a number of individuals in some very nice habitat with abundant Shrubby Cinquefoil over the last couple of weeks. It's always good to find out that rare species are still hanging on.