Orbed red-underwing skipper
Common NameOrbed red-underwing skipper
Scientific NameSpialia orbifer
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyPyrginae
Wingspan (mm)27
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsdark brown, white
HabitatDry grasslands, steppes, rocky slopes, open woodlands
Geographic RangeSoutheastern Europe, Turkey, Middle East, Central Asia to Mongolia
Host PlantsSanguisorba minor, Sanguisorba officinalis
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on the host plant. Larvae feed on the leaves, often creating shelters by tying leaves together. Pupation occurs in a loose cocoon near the ground.
Identification TipsLook for the dark brown wings heavily marked with many white spots, particularly the 'orbicular' spots. The reddish-orange underside of the hindwings is a key diagnostic feature when visible, and its antennae have a distinctive hooked club.
Description
A small, dark brown skipper with numerous distinct white spots on both forewings and hindwings, and a hairy, robust body. The underside of the hindwings is typically reddish-orange, though not clearly visible in this dorsal view.
