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Grizzled Skipper

Pyrgus malvae

The Grizzled Skipper is a small butterfly with a fuzzy body and beautiful patterns on its wings. It flits around flowers and grassy areas, bringing joy to those who spot it!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Grizzled Skipper has a distinctive checkerboard pattern on its dark brown wings, created by numerous small white squares. Its wings are fringed with alternating dark and light scales, making it visually different from most plain brown butterflies.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyHesperiidaeGenusPyrgus
Grizzled Skipper
solitary trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Grizzled Skipper

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Skippers are not true butterflies or moths; they belong to their own special group!

The 'skipper' name comes from their unique, erratic flight that looks like skipping!

Their tiny caterpillars are expert architects, carefully rolling up leaves to hide inside!

Unlike many winged insects, they often bask with their wings open on warm rocks or bare ground!

Special abilities

Ability

Darting Flight

Grizzled Skipper can execute lightning-fast, jerky flights that help them evade predators and quickly move between flowers.

Ability

Camouflage Cloak

Grizzled Skippers have mottled wing patterns that help them blend seamlessly into rough ground and dappled sunlight.

Ability

Nectar Siphon

Grizzled Skippers possess a long, coiled proboscis that helps them sip sweet nectar deep from various flower types.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
20-28 mm
Size
10-14 mm
Lifespan
10-20 days
Flight Speed
15-25 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip nectar from wildflowers, while their caterpillars munch on plant leaves.

Age differences: Larvae exclusively eat the leaves of specific host plants, while adults primarily drink flower nectar.

Primary Foods

  • Flower Nectar
  • Creeping Cinquefoil Leaves
  • Wild Strawberry Leaves
  • Agrimony Leaves
  • Hedge Bedstraw Leaves

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Butterflies are safe to watch, but be gentle and don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Grizzled Skipper's wingspan?

20-28 mm

How big is Grizzled Skipper?

10-14 mm

How long does Grizzled Skipper live?

10-20 days

How fast can Grizzled Skipper fly?

15-25 km/h

What does Grizzled Skipper eat?

Adults sip nectar from wildflowers, while their caterpillars munch on plant leaves.

Where is Grizzled Skipper usually found?

Grasslands

How does Grizzled Skipper hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Grizzled Skipper have?

6

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