


The Scarce Vapourer is superficially similar to the commoner Vapourer, but can be distinguished on wing colour, that species being a more uniform orange-brown and without white marks near the wing-tips. The grey female is almost wingless with a swollen abdomen.

The male flies by day in sunshine. The female is flightless and found in association with the cocoon from which it emerged.

The English name of this moth is most appropriate for those found in southern England.  In northern England and Ireland, the forewings are darker with some blackish tints on the hindwings.  One or two small spots are present on the forewings, these can be connected forming a crescent.

Can be found in flight by day, particularly in sunshine.  Mating sometimes occurs in mid-afternoon. Also flies from dusk and into the night.


Often found near common bird's-foot trefoil and kidney vetch. Coastal. The male sometimes flies in the afternoon sunshine, whilst both sexes can often be found at rest on fence posts, dry plant stems etc. The male also flies from early evening.

The larvae can be seen from May to July. The overwinter as pupae just below the ground.

The female is larger than the male with slightly different markings, has a paler colour and does not have feathered antennae (unlike the male). Northern or upland examples are more intensely coloured, with the female bluish-grey. The adult females fly at night when they occasionally come to light, usually early in the night.


Though it remains a common and widespread species, the Small Copper declined throughout its range during the twentieth century. Widespread through Britain and Ireland, and occasionally visits gardens. 


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