(Hübner, 1803)
Large Grizzled Skipper
Description:
The Large Grizzled Skipper is usually found in mountainous areas on dry, poor, flower-rich grassland, and rough vegetation. Quick-flying and alert, it also likes basking on the ground and drinking from wet mud. It is a very variable butterfly with many different subspecies and forms, making identification difficult.
Choosing the smaller leaves, the female lays her eggs singly on various cinquefoils (Potentilla spp.) and rock-roses (Helianthemum spp.). At first, the caterpillar lives between spun leaves on plants, later on it spins a tent-like shelter on the ground. It passes the winter in this stage and builds a special tube-like structure in which to pupate.
There are one or two generations a year.
Habitat:
Alpine grasslands
Dry siliceous grasslands
Dry calcareous grasslands
Mesophile grasslands
Similar species:
Pyrgus carthami
Pyrgus armoricanus
Pyrgus serratulae
Pyrgus malvae