Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: The species is an Endemic of South-eastern Europe, Caucasus and Transcaucasia. Armenia is inhabited by subspecies L.c. pfeifferi (Beuret, 1952). In Armenia the species occupies wet sub-alpine meadows at the elevations from 1,800 to 2,700 m a.s.l. The larval host plant of Balkan Copper are various Rumex spp. of sub-alpine area. The species gives one generation per year flying from mid June to late July depending on elevation.
Population dynamics: The species is uncommon to rare within typical habitat. The population trend in the period of 2003-2013 demonstrates moderate decline (p<0.05), which is most probably related to the habitat degradation caused by overgrazing. Although most of the Rumex spp. are not consumed by livestock, but probably the general degradation of the habitat is causing change of its micro-climate, which in its turn influences the habitat specialist species including Balkan Copper. Another emerging threat which has been properly studied in Armenia yet is the development of small Hydro Power Plants at the mountain rivers. Since there are number of gaps in Environmental Impact assessment process - the volume of water deprived from the rivers is in many cases higher than should be to support the proper functioning of the surrounding ecosystem. It causes changes in plant compositions and can also affect the butterflies. In addition it should be mentioned that there is a small scale trade of species.
Conservation measures: The species is not included in the Global and National Red Lists, however was evaluated for the Red Book of European Butterflies as a Least Concern. Also the species is not included in the CITES and Bern Conventions. Preliminary evaluation of its conservation status suggests it as a Near Threatened. At current the distribution range of the species is covered by number of National Protected Areas and Emerald Sites. Also, the species occurs in Lichk, Kajaran, Gnisheek, and Artanish-Shorzha Prime Butterfly Areas; however still number of its distribution sites do not have any protection status and are intensively used as pastures and mowing areas. Among necessary conservation measures the it should be mentioned: (1) development and introduction of ecosystem friendly livestock grazing schemes; (2) review of the mowing policies, which take the local species diversities into consideration; (3) study of the influence of small Hydro Power Plants at the mountain rivers and advocate their proper Environmental Assessment processes; (4) designation of more Prime Butterfly Areas and their further transformation into Protected Areas; (5) continuation of the species' monitoring to track the population changes aimed at early warning of any further declines and change of the conservation plans in accordance.