Superficially similar to the Red-underwing Skipper, this species has a paler, often greener underside and is only found in eastern Europe. It prefers warmer areas and flies fast and close to the ground, stopping every so often to feed on low-growing flowers. The specimen in the photograph is the only individual I managed to find whilst I was in Croatia.
Distribution: Eastern Europe, from Slovenia and the Czech Republic south towards Greece.
Flight Period: Mid April-August in multiple broods.
Habitat: Dry scrub, woodland edges, dry field margins, maquis up to 2000m.
Foodplants: Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor).
Nectar Sources: Scabiouses (Knautia), hawkweeds (Hieracium), Eryngium and carline thistles (Carlina).
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- Orbed Red Underwing Skipper, Zadar, Croatia, July 2018
