Male small coppers are territorial, often choosing a piece of bare ground or a stone on which to bask and await passing females. They behave aggressively towards any passing insects, returning to the same spot when the chase is over.
Adults can be seen feeding on nectar from many flowers including common buttercup, white clover, butterfly weed, yarrow, ox-eye daisy, and various composites.
Common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and sheep’s sorrel (Rumex acetosella) are the main foodplants of the small copper caterpillars.