Advanced Butterfly Identification, Skippers

(The Hesperiidae)

                             back to common Skippers page

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There are two other species of Skippers found locally, the Grizzled and Dingy Skippers, and both are now rare or scarce.

See the Regional Species page for more details of habitats, life cycles and distribution. 

Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae) This butterfly is not like any other, but might be taken for a moth as it is rather furry. The caterpillars (larvae) eat Barren Strawberry (Potentilla sterilis) or Wild Strawberry. It is now recorded from only 2 or 3 sites in North Wales. Both these species have to hibernate (as pupae) inside the bases of long grass stems; so mowing too short, too soon will destroy many of them.     Photo; Ilija Vukomanovic

Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) This delicate, early little butterfly is not Dingy at all when fresh! Its larvae eat Bird's-foot Trefoil and vetches. It is found in areas where there is plenty of bare ground - like disused quarries. It has become more scarce in recent years.   Butterfly Conservation employs scientists to research why some species are declining more than others, and to make recommendations to County Councils and landowners on how to save their habitats. see; LBAPs for more information.   Photo; Janet Graham