Lycaena rauparaha is well described in Dr George Gibbs’ book ‘New Zealand Butterflies: Identification and Natural History' (1980). However, in ‘Butterflies of the South Pacific’ (2012) Brian Patrick identifies this species as the coastal copper, L. salustius.
Easily confused with the common copper - both are often found flying together in coastal habitats. A bright golden, coppery upper surface, with mustard coloured or brown underside. The diagnostic feature is the single black lines of scales along the veins on the upper surface (in contrast to double black lines on L. salustius.) It can be helpful for identification to look for blue spots around the margin of hindwings of the females - the spots are present on salustius but absent on rauparaha.
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Te Rauparaha was a great Maori rangatira and warrior. Te Rauparaha took his tribe from defeat at Kawhia to the conquest of new territories in central NZ. As a war leader he enjoyed great success. The butterfly acquired its name because it has been found in the same areas of the coast as Te Rauparaha fought his battles.
