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Grizzled Skipper

Pyrgus malvae

Not yet photographed by the community

Tiny black-and-white chequered skipper of chalk downland.

Species Profile

UK Biodiversity Action Plan species; conservation concern due to habitat loss and fragmentation; not currently on formal Red List but locally declining.

Lifespan: 2–4 weeks as an adult butterfly in the wild
Size & Weight: Wingspan 18–22 mm; 0.4–0.6 g
Habitat: Sunny, sheltered sites with sparse vegetation, including rough grassland, woodland rides, chalk downs, and coastal heathland where host plants grow.
UK Distribution: Scattered throughout southern England, Wales, and the Midlands, with populations declining northwards. Resident, overwintering as pupae; single generation from May to June in most areas.
Diet: Adults feed on nectar from flowers such as bugle, bird's-foot trefoil, and dandelions.
Predators: Robber flies, spiders, and small insectivorous birds; also vulnerable to parasitoid wasps as caterpillars.
Mating Season: May to June
Breeding: Females lay eggs singly on host plants (primarily cinquefoil species, especially Tormentil). Single brood per year; pupation occurs in a loose cocoon on or near the host plant.
Behaviour: Males are highly territorial and perch on low vegetation to watch for females and rival males, darting out to intercept passing insects. Adults have a distinctive rapid, low flight pattern close to the ground. They rest with wings tent-like over their body.

Sources and editorial status

The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.

Profile generated 22 June 2026

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Grizzled Skipper · Field Guide · Things With Wings