Scarce Copper
Lycaena virgaureae
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
47
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarce_copper
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Lycaenidae
Genus
Lycaena
Scarce Copper belongs to the family Lycaenidae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Scarce Copper faces severe population declines across its range due to habitat loss and fragmentation of its specialized moorland and heathland environments. Climate change and intensive land management practices have further reduced the availability of suitable breeding sites and host plants, pushing remaining populations toward critical thresholds.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits upland moorlands, heathlands, and rough grasslands, particularly areas with abundant sorrel (Rumex) species which serve as larval host plants. Prefers flower-rich habitats with scattered scrub and areas of bare ground, typically at elevations between 200-1000m.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Scarce Copper faces severe population declines across its range due to habitat loss and fragmentation of its specialized moorland and heathland environments. Climate change and intensive land management practices have further reduced the availability of suitable breeding sites and host plants, pushing remaining populations toward critical thresholds.
Climate change impacts
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Intensive land management and agricultural conversion
Loss of host plant availability
Overgrazing and inappropriate grazing regimes
Found in 47 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Scarce Copper (Lycaena virgaureae). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/scarce-copper