Abstract <p>We tested the hypotheses that the accumulation of potentially toxic metals (Cu and Zn) in adults of two Nymphalid species (<i>Aphantopus hyperantus</i> and <i>Coenonympha arcania</i>) correlates with wing shape and eyespot size, as well as increases their fluctuating asymmetry. These traits are less functionally significant compared to wing length, for which no negative impact of pollution was previously found in these species. Therefore, theoretically, their fluctuating asymmetry may better indicate stress. Butterflies were collected at different distances from the Middle Ural Copper Smelter (Revda, Russia). The shape of the forewings and hindwings was analyzed using geometric morphometrics. Eyespot sizes were measured on the ventral side of the forewings and hindwings. Wing shape and its fluctuating asymmetry did not differ between sites in all cases (two species, males and females) but, in one case, correlated with metals (<i>C. arcania</i> females). Eyespot size differed between sites in one species (<i>C. arcania</i>) and negatively correlated with Cu only in females of this species (only for two out of five analyzed eyespots). The fluctuating asymmetry of eyespot size differed between sites only in one case (<i>A. hyperantus</i> males), but it was not highest near the smelter; asymmetry decreased with increasing Zn only in <i>C. arcania</i> females. Thus, the tested hypotheses were not unequivocally confirmed: although some pollution effects were found at both the group (differences between sites) and individual (correlation with metals) levels, they were very weak, specific to trait, species, and sex, and therefore, most likely occasional. The results add to doubts about the informativeness of fluctuating asymmetry as an indicator of stress in natural insect populations.</p>