(Haworth, 1802)
Large Copper
Description:
The Large Copper occurs in marshy habitats, and on the peaty banks of lakes, rivers and streams. Nectar plants are important for the females, that lay more eggs when there is more food available for them. Eggs are laid on large sorrels (Rumex spp.). The young caterpillars first eat from the underside of the leaves, making the characteristic 'windows'. Later caterpillars feed on the whole leaf. They hibernate when half-grown between withered leaves at the foot of the food plant. The Large Copper has several subspecies in Europe. The largest of them, L. d. batava, is confined to the extensive wetlands in the north of The Netherlands. The males of this subspecies occupy territoria in the warmest places in depressions in the vegetation. Their caterpillars feed only on Water Dock (Rumex hydrolapathum). There are two smaller subspecies, L. d. rutila and L. d. carueli, that use other large sorrels as food plants. The subspecies L. d. batava has one generation a year, and the other subspecies two or maybe even three.
Habitat:
Mesophile grasslands
Water-fringe vegetations
Humid grasslands
Similar species:
Lycaena virgaureae
Lycaena hippothoe
Lycaena alciphron
Lycaena tityrus