Purple-edged Copper

Lycaena hippothoe

Checklist Number
B044 [B&F: 1566]

Verification
Record requires retention of specimen until confirmed, and may require dissection. Consult with CMR if unsure

Classification

Family:Lycaenidae
Subfamily:Lycaeninae
Genus:Lycaena
Species:hippothoe
Authority:(Linnaeus, 1761)

Locally common, in damp grassland and alpine meadows; 0-2500 m throughout much of north-eastern Europe, Fennoscandia, southern France and northern Spain. In Britain, there are a number of old records, however, these were all probably the result of deliberate introductions. Wingspan 28-32 mm. Larva feeds on Common Bistort and Common Sorrel.