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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.

Did You Know?

•The Grizzled Skipper is one of the earliest butterfly species to emerge in spring, with adults appearing as early as April in southern England.
•Its chequered appearance—white or pale markings on a dark grey-brown background—gives the species its name.
•Males engage in 'perch and pounce' territorial behaviour, remaining stationary for long periods before pursuing intruders.
•The caterpillar feeds exclusively on plants in the Rosaceae family, particularly silverweed and tormentil, making habitat management for these plants crucial for conservation.
•Population numbers fluctuate significantly year-to-year depending on spring weather; wet or cold springs can cause major population crashes.

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