Grizzled Skipper

The Grizzled Skipper is a small and low flying butterfly, darting around it can often be mistaken for a moth. Wings are black or dark brown with checker-board of white spots. In the UK, the butterfly can be found throughout the south of England and Wales. The butterfly over winters as a pupa, with adults flying between April and June and caterpillars active shortly afterwards. The caterpillars feed from a variety of plants including Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatopria), Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and various cinquefoils including Silverweed (Potentilla anserina), Creeping Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans) and Barren Strawberry (Potentilla sterilis). This butterfly tends to be found in habitat with a low, sunny sward and patches of low scrub.

A very similar species is the Dingy Skipper, which is duller and lacks the distinctive bright white patterns of the Grizzled Skipper.

The Grizzled Skipper is included in Section 41 species of principal importance under the NERC Act in England and listed on Section 7 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.

• • Size: Wing Span Range (male to female): 27mm
  • Life span: 5-8 days for adults
  • Diet: The caterpillars feed from a variety of plants including Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatopria), Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and various cinquefoils including Silverweed (Potentilla anserina), Creeping Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans) and Barren Strawberry (Potentilla sterilis).
    Adults will nectar on Bugle (Ajuga reptans), buttercups (Ranunculus spp.), Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Daisy (Bellis perennis), dandelions (Taraxacum spp.), Ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea), Ragged-Robin (Silene flos-cuculi), Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and Wild Thyme (Thymus polytrichus).
  • Reproduction: The Grizzled Skipper generally has a single brood per year, although in some parts of the country there can be a partial second brood in July and August. Eggs are laid singly on foodplants growing in warm positions, next to either bare ground or short vegetation. The larvae spin silk to fold the edges of leaves to build a series of tents, which protects them as they grow. The larvae leave these tents periodically to feed. They overwinter as pupae, which are formed within cocoons of silk and leaves amongst low vegetation (under 30cm). Adults fly from the end of April until mid-June.
  • When to see: Daytime during the spring.
  • Population Trend: Declining
  • Threats: Loss of right habitat conditions, loss of brownfield sites and small fragile populations.
  • Fun Fact: Grizzled Skipper often roost communally at night or in dull weather, on grass or flower heads. Although they are well-camouflaged, with practice this can be a good time to count them at some sites.

How you can help:

Buglife is working to increase awareness of invertebrates and the Grizzled Skipper through specific projects like Kernow Wyls – People for Pollinators, and campaigns but we need you help!

Join the Kernow Wyls – People for Pollinators project where there will be opportunities to help with surveying, monitoring and habitat conservation work. There is also information, advice and support available for landowners who would like to learn more about improving their land for pollinators.

Join a recording scheme and log your finds – send any records/sightings to Butterfly Conservation or download the iRecord app and get recording!

Do remember that we rely on donations to continue our work. If you have searched, found and learnt about our incredible invertebrates on our website, please do consider Making a Donation, Becoming a Member or maybe even making a purchase in our shop. For more ideas on how to support our work find out how to Get Involved. Thank you 🕷

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