Lopheros rubens
Local name: Lyce fâché
The Lyce fâché (Lopheros rubens) is a distinctive reddish-brown lycaenid butterfly characterized by its vibrant copper-colored wings with intricate dark spotting patterns. This small but ecologically important species serves as a pollinator for several endemic flowering plants in its restricted range and plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of its specialized ecosystem.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera
Family
Lycidae
Genus
Lopheros
Lopheros rubens belongs to the family Lycidae, order Coleoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The Lyce fâché (Lopheros rubens) is a distinctive reddish-brown lycaenid butterfly characterized by its vibrant copper-colored wings with intricate dark spotting patterns. This small but ecologically important species serves as a pollinator for several endemic flowering plants in its restricted range and plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of its specialized ecosystem.
Lopheros rubens faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range. The species' specialized habitat requirements and small population size make it extremely vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbance.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits specialized microhabitats within temperate deciduous forests, particularly areas with specific soil chemistry and moisture conditions between 200-800m elevation. Requires undisturbed forest floor environments with particular substrate compositions that support its unique ecological niche.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Lopheros rubens faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range. The species' specialized habitat requirements and small population size make it extremely vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbance.
Climate change affecting suitable habitat
Habitat loss from agricultural conversion
Small population size and genetic bottlenecks
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Pollution and chemical contamination
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Lopheros rubens (Lopheros rubens). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/lyce-fache