Red-underwing Skipper
Common NameRed-underwing Skipper
Scientific NameSpialia sertorius
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyPyrginae
Wingspan (mm)24
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsdark brown, white, reddish-orange
HabitatDry grasslands, meadows, open woodlands, scrubland, rocky slopes
Geographic RangeEurope (from Spain to Ukraine), parts of North Africa, and temperate Asia
Host PlantsSanguisorba minor, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla argentea, Rubus idaeus
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae feed on the leaves, creating a silken tent, and typically overwinter before pupating in spring.
Identification TipsKey features include the dark upperside with many distinct white spots and a white fringe, along with the diagnostic reddish-orange underside of the hindwings. Its rapid, low, and erratic flight is also characteristic.
Description
A small, dark brown skipper with a stout body and numerous distinct white spots across its upperside wings, complemented by a characteristic reddish-orange underside to the hindwings.
