(Hübner, 1803)
Tessellated Skipper
Description:
The Tessellated Skipper occurs in dry and moist habitats on various types of grassy vegetation, on both calcareous and non-calcareous soils. The butterflies have a rapid flight, often quite close to the ground.
The caterpillars feed on the labiates Phlomis tuberosa and P. samia, hiding in spun leaves. The Tessellated Skipper has one or two generations a year, and passes the winter as a small caterpillar.
Habitat:
Dry siliceous grasslands
Dry calcareous grasslands
Mesophile grasslands
Similar species:
Muschampia proto
Muschampia cribrellum
Pyrgus carthami
Pyrgus cinarae