The large copper butterfly Lycaena dispar (Haworth, 1803; Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) has been categorized as a near-threatened species (NT) in South Korea from 2012 mainly due to limited distribution. In this study, we visited 36 sites spread across all South Korean provinces to verify the distributional range of the species and sequenced mitochondrial COI for 53 individuals from nine sites. We observed L. dispar at 15 sites in six provinces, including the two previously known provinces, indicating a southward range expansion. The in-field monitoring and genetic data collectively suggested that L. dispar does not have a limited distribution nor is it isolated, indicating that it should be reclassified as less vulnerable. Our study demonstrates that the combination of field and genetic data can provide a more reliable assessment of the stability of a species.

Urbanization is one of the leading causes of habitat loss, habitat degradation, and fragmentation. Urban development negatively affects biodiversity. This study aimed to clarify the change of butterfly communities on effect of urbanization in urban green areas. Butterfly survey was conducted using the line transect methods from April to October in 2012. A total of 59 species and 1,465 individuals of butterflies were observed in four urban green areas: Namsan Park (NS), Ewha Womans University (EW), Bukseoul Dream Forest (BD), and Hongneung Forest (HF), and natural forest: Gwangneung Forest (GF). The category of land use around study site was determined based on GIS data. Species richness and abundance of niche breadth and habitat type in urban green areas differed significantly from those in GF. Estimated species richness and species diversity (H’) in four urban green areas were significantly lower than those in GF. Species richness and abundance of forest interior species and specialist were positively correlated with paddy, field, and forest, whereas those of forest interior species and specialist were negatively correlated with urban area and road. Butterfly communities in four urban green area differed from that in GF. The result suggests that the decrease of paddy, field, and forest associated with increase of urban area and road negatively influences species composition and changes butterfly communities.

다도해지역인 신안군 임자면 임자도 일대 19개 무인도서에서 나비를 조사하여 총 5과 11속 14종을 확인하였다. 호랑나비과 (Papilionidae) 나비가 5종으로 가장 많았으며, 다음으로는 부전나비과 (Lycaenidae)가 4종, 흰나비과 (Pieridae), 네발나비과 (Nymphalidae)는 2종, 팔랑나비과 (Hesperiidae)는 1종이 나타났다. 본 조사의 우점종은 남방부전나비 (Pseudozizeeria maha), 푸른부전나비 (Celastrina argiolus), 먹부전나비 (Tongeia fischeri), 호랑나비 (Papilio xuthus), 청띠제비나비 (Graphium sarpedon)이며, 이들 중 청띠제비나비는 서남해안 일부지역에서만 서식하여 한반도 내에서 서식 분포가 매우 좁은 종이다. 나비의 분포는 섬의 면적에 영향을 받는 것으로 나타났으나, 종 공급원과의 거리나 최고 고도와 유의한 관계는 나타나지 않았다. 환경변화에 따른 종의 확산을 알아보기 위하여 이들 지역에 대한 지속적인 생태 모니터링이 필요하다.