Large Copper
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| iLarge Copper | ||||||||||||||
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| Lycaena dispar (Haworth, 1803) |
The Large Copper (Lycaena dispar) is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. The British race of this butterfly (dispar) has been extinct for over 150 years (since 1864). Most of our knowledge of its life cycle and ecology comes from studies of the similar race (batavus) found in The Netherlands.
[edit] Conservation
This is one of the butterfly species classified as a priority for protection and re-introduction in the UK under its national Biodiversity Action Plan. The species has been in severe decline in Britain due to the great reduction of fen habitat due to expansion of the human population.
There have been several reintroduction attempts to sites in both Britain and Ireland, but these have all ultimately failed. Research is now being conducted to see whether a further attempt is worthwhile in more extensive habitats available in the Norfolk Broads.
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