This species is one of the larger member of this genus. It occurs in several forms across Europe, with those found in the Iberian Peninsula and Fennoscandia being more heavily marked. It usually has bold white markings on the underside and most specimens have obscured hindwing markings which help to separate it from the similar Oberthür’s Grizzled Skipper. Despite its wide range I have only ever found one in the Pyrenees in France, leading me to believe that it may be quite local in some areas.

Distribution: Much of Europe, from N Portugal and S Spain to S Norway in the north and Peloponnesos in Greece in the south.  An isolated population occurs in the Apeninnes. Absent from NW France, N Germany, Netherlands, Britain and Ireland, most of Italy and the Mediterranean islands.

Flight Period: June-August in 1 brood.

Habitat: Meadows, grassy woodland clearings and edges, hillside gullies, usually between 100-2000m.

Foodplants: Various: Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca), rockroses (Cistus) and Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum).

Nectar Sources: Scabiouses (Knautia), Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) , Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria)  and a variety of other flowers.

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