Pyrgus serratulae
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Switzerland, May 2009
Switzerland, May 2009
Switzerland, May 2009
Switzerland, May 2009
Val d'Aran, Pyrenees, July 2007
Val d'Aran, Pyrenees, July 2007
Val d'Aran, Pyrenees, July 2007
Distribution
The olive skipper is
widespread, though
its distribution in the east of its range is much more scattered than
the map above might suggest. It is common in the Alps and Pyrenees,
from valley level to the high mountains, wherever there scrubland with
grass and flowers well exposed to the sun. In Switzerland I find it in
the heat of the Rhône Valley and at over 2000m on my local mountain. I
have also seen it commonly in the Pyrenees, though in the old days,
when I went there more, I wasn't so good at recognising it.
In appearance, it is a very
typical Pyrgus,
and in fact quite variable. The books suggest the upperside spots are
sparse and small - and sometimes they are. Often, however, the
forewings are very well marked, with some of the spots even confluent.
The hindwing markings are generally very obscure and ill defined.
Females often have a characteristic brassy suffusion on the upperside
and are generally a deeper brown than the males. The underside is most
distinctive. The hindwing ground colour is deep olive green and the
veins are the same colour, so though their relief might catch the light
they are generally inconspicuous. This gives the underside a
characteristic texture and feel. The basal spot near the costa of the
underside hindwing is oval and discrete, not linked to the margin or
other spots - a strong diagnostic character - and the discal spots in
ss. 2 and 3 are small or absent. Once the pattern is known it is
instantly recognisable. Sometimes the marginal white band is more or
less complete, as in the safflower skipper, but it is not as broad or
obvious as in that species.
The caterpillars feed on
various Potentilla
species and hibernate in their fourth instar. The adults fly in a
single, protracted generation from April or May through to July.