A fairly common species, the Mallow Skipper is superficially similar to the False Mallow Skipper which only occurs in southern Iberia and the only reliable method of differentiating between the two is to check the male genitalia. Elsewhere it is fairly easy to identify.

Distribution: South and central Europe as far as northern France. Absent from the far south-western Iberian peninsula where it is replaced with the False Mallow Skipper.

Flight Period: April-October in several broods.

Habitat: Flowery meadows, field margins, rocky scrub, maquis and brownfield sites. usually at lower altitudes.

Foodplants: Mallows (Malva).

Nectar Sources: Hawkweeds (Hieracium), thistles (Cirsium), knapweeds (Centaurea), clovers (Trifolium) and others.

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