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Field guide · Denmark
Skippers · Denmark

Grizzled skipper

Pyrgus malvae

Grizzled skipper is relatively rare in Denmark. The wingspan is 19-25 mm. The flight period is April-June, with a peak in May. Primarily found in grasslands, coastal meadows, and heathlands, but also in several locations, more or less dry clearings or roadside verges in woodlands.

Status in this countryRelatively rare in DenmarkNT (Near threatened)
Grizzled skipper

Flight period

The flight period is April-June, with a peak in May. The first individuals are typically seen in the last days of April, while the last individuals disappear during June.

Habitat

Primarily grasslands, coastal meadows, and heathlands, but in several locations also more or less dry clearings or roadside verges in woodlands. On the Islands, it appears that Grizzled skipper is currently found in woodland habitats at only a few locations in Funen.

Identifying features

Wingspan: 19–25 mm. The uppersides of both the forewings and hindwings are dark, with several white spots.

Similar species

Grizzled skipper can be easily confused with oberthürs grizzled skipper, but this one has blurred/erased spots on the hindwings, is lighter on the wing undersides, is larger, and lacks a series of white spots along the forewing edge, which Grizzled skipper has.

Distribution

Grizzled skipper is one of the butterflies that has declined the most in Denmark. Consequently, it has gone from being a common species everywhere to a rare species, which can only be found in certain areas of Jutland at a relatively large number of locations.

Biology

Grizzled skipper is a very fast and erratic flyer, which can be difficult to follow with the eyes. When it is not searching for food on flowers, it engages in aerial battles with competing males, or it rests on stones or bare ground, using its widely spread wings.