Large copper

Large copper (Lycaena dispar) is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. Lycaena dispar is widely distributed across temperate Eurasia from western Europe to the Amur region, Korea and Manchuria. While it is currently in severe decline in north-western Europe, it is expanding in central, northern and eastern regions.

Three European subspecies are commonly recognized: L. dispar dispar (single-brooded), the now-extinct English subspecies; L. d. batavus (usually single-brooded), the Dutch subspecies; and L. d. rutilus (double-brooded), which is widespread across the rest of the continent. Several Asian subspecies extend the range eastward. The species has been declining in many European countries mainly as a result of habitat loss.