The Grizzled Skipper is one of the most widespread probably the commonest pyrgus species in Europe, emerging  earlier than some of its closest relatives too. It flies quite fast over areas of rough grassland and is typically quite small with a row of submarginal white spots which aids identification.

Distribution: Much of Europe, but absent from Ireland, northern Britain, north Fennoscandia and the Mediterranean islands.

Flight Period: April-August in 2 broods in most of Europe; May-June in 1 brood in N Europe and Greece.

Habitat: A wide range of flowery, grassy areas including meadows, heaths, woodland edges and clearings to around 2000m.

Foodplants: Mainly cinquefoils (Potentilla) but occasionally Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and brambles (Rubus).

Nectar Sources: Tormentil (Potentilla erecta), forget-me-nots (Myosotis), hawkweeds (Hieracium), bugles (Ajuga), Cowslip (Primula veris), Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), speedwells (Veronica) and others.

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