Carcharodus alceae

Valais, Switzerland, April 2010

Vaud, Switzerland, August 2010

Var, France, August 2010

Malaga, Spain, April 2009
Based on location, this could well be the False Mallow Skipper, M. tripolinus - separating these species in Spain is (for me) not at all sure.

Valais, Switzerland, April 2009

Var, S France, March 2008

Valais, Switzerland, July 2007

Mallow Skipper
Carcharodus alceae

Distribution: Across Europe except UK and Scandinavia. Replaced in SW Iberian peninsular and some Greek islands by the False Mallow Skipper, C. tripolinus. Altitude: sea level to 2000m.

Identification: Small hyline (transparent) spots on forewing. Dark grey brown on ups. Uns hw with post discal arc of small chevrons, no discal arc, cell spot large and isolated from other markings. Similar species are the False Mallow Skipper, C. tripolinus (these two species are externally inseparable, identification is by the male genitalia) and the Marbled Skippers in the same genus.

Flight time: flies in the warmer months, from April to October in the south, in several broods. Disappears between broods.

Habitat: Lush to very dry grassy places often with flowers and amongst scrub or woodland. Larvae take Malva sylvestris and other plants.

Behaviour: Flies rapidly low over the ground. It shows some signs of territorial behaviour, often patrolling the same corner of a field or stretch of woodland path and disappearing in a whirring battle for a few moments when challenged by other passing skippers or butterflies.

Additional notes: Usually this or the Grizzled Skipper is the first skipper I find during the year. Quite variable but usually distinctive. It has a different jizz to the similar Marbled Skippers, and generally it is also a little smaller.

Catalonia, Spain, May 2007

Var, France, April 2006

Crete, June 2004

Very soft browns for this species.
Presumably the local Cretan variety or a subspecies.

Crete, June 2004

Well marked hindwing for this species.

Cyprus, April 2002