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Pyrgus andromedae

Alpine Grizzled Skipper

Field Notes

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Valais, Switzerland, June 2006
 

Valais, Switzerland, June 2007
 

Valais, Switzerland, July 2006
 

Valais, Switzerland, July 2003
 

Valais, Switzerland, June 2006
 

Valais, Switzerland, June 2003

Row of three basal spots visible on forewing - the 3rd spot
(small in this specimen) is missing in cacaliae.

 

Valais, Switzerland, June 2003

Underside of same butterfly - the bright white exclamation mark is visible.

 

This butterfly is very similar to the Dusky Grizzled Skipper, P. cacaliae, with which it flies in the Alps. Both butterflies have few markings on the upperside hindwing. Both species have a dirty green underside giving a rather dull overall feel. In space 1b of the underside hindwing there is a dash and spot that look like an exclamation mark. This is bright white in andromedae, duskier in cacaliae. On the upperside the species are distinguished by two features

  • cacaliae has very small markings on the forewing

  • the basal spots in spaces 1b and 2 - cacaliae has 2, andromedae has 3.

 

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