Olive Skipper
Common NameOlive Skipper
Scientific NamePyrgus serratulae
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyPyrginae
Wingspan (mm)27
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsdark brown, white
HabitatAlpine meadows, rocky grasslands, subalpine zones
Geographic RangeCentral and Southern Europe, temperate Asia to Mongolia
Host PlantsPotentilla erecta, Potentilla neumanniana, Potentilla crantzii
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae feed on cinquefoils and overwinter, pupating in a loose cocoon near the ground.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its dark ground color contrasting with crisp white spots, particularly the row of square spots on the hindwing underside, and a clear white fringe.
Description
A small, dark brown skipper with numerous distinct white rectangular spots on both forewings and hindwings, and a prominent white fringe along the wing margins.
