This skipper is a butterfly of very hot areas and is primarily a north African species, with southern Portugal and Spain being the most northerly reaches of its distribution. Like so many of the other butterflies in the Algarve, it was seen feeding on the Clustered Carline Thistle during the summer months. It is superficially similar to the Mallow Skipper, which is reportedly absent from the Algarve but occurs in the rest of Portugal. Differentiating between these two species can only be done reliably by examining the genitalia.

Distribution: Southern Spain and Portugal, from Lisbon eastwards to Cadiz.

Flight Period: March-October in multiple broods.

Habitat: Maquis, dry scrub, brownfield land and edges of cultivated land, usually at lower altitudes.

Foodplants: Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris) is reportedly the sole foodplant, although it may use Malva olbia, Malva multiflora or Malva hispanica. 

Nectar Sources: Hawkweeds (Hieracium), thymes (Thymus), Clustered Carline Thistle (Carlina corymbosa) and other flowers.

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