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| UK Status |
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| Resident |
A species which is continually Resident in the UK with stable breeding populations. |
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| Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Migrant in the UK. It may be able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Migrants are normally reported in the UK every year. |
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| Rare Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Rare Migrant in the UK. It may able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Rare Migrants may not be seen for many years. |
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| Extinct |
A species which is Extinct in the UK, usually as a result of habitat loss. |
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| Introduction |
A species which ocurs in the UK as an accidental introduction. |
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Description
This charming small spring butterfly can be difficult to spot due to its ability to vanish during flight. It is an accomplished flyer changing speed and direction in an instant. Up close the large eyes and fluffy face make the Grizzled Skipper a charming character.
The males tend to be found basking in the sun perched on a dead flower head in a sheltered hollow or south facing bank/ditch. They can be easily overlooked when at rest or roosting on flower heads.
The Grizzled Skipper is generally dark brown above, fringed with white and a loose checkerboard pattern of white spots which can be variable. As individuals age, the dark brown ground colour turns a more dull bronze colour.
The Grizzled Skipper is a Priority Species for conservation due to the continued loss of habitat and resulting drop in population.
Habitat
This butterfly can be found in a variety of habitats including disused railway lines woodland rides and waste ground... although primarily on Chalk Downland in the south of the UK.
In order to breed the Grizzled Skipper requires patches of bare ground, an abundance of larval food plant and spring flowers.
Larval Food Plants
Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria)
Creeping Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans)
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
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| Stock Photography Library |
| We have 11 photographs of the Grizzled Skipper in the British Butterflies photo library |
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BB1584 - Grizzled Skipper
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BB1583 - Grizzled Skipper
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BB1582 - Grizzled Skipper
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BB1581 - Grizzled Skipper
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BB362 - Grizzled Skipper
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BB314 - Grizzled Skipper
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BB313 - Grizzled Skipper
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BB182 - Grizzled Skipper
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| Distribution |
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| It can be seen in South and Central England parts of South East Wales North East Wales and Lincolnshire. It is usually found in small discrete colonies where the larval food plant grows but is often absent even when the habitat looks suitable for this species. |
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| Where to see the Grizzled Skipper |
Wiltshire: Bentley Station Meadow
Cumbria: Howe Riding Wood
Oxfordshire: Aston Rowant NNR
Warwickshire: Wolfhamcote, Bishops Itchington, Southam Quarry, Ryton Wood Meadows BC Reserve
Somerset: Thurlbear Quarrylands |
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| Population Trends |
| species status |
the Grizzled Skipper is a resident species in Britain |
| population trend1 |
(1995-2004)  down by -42% |
(1976-2004) down by -34% |
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1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M.
(2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
| UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Status |
| UK BAP status2 |
candidate priority species (link) |
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| 2 For more information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species status, visit www.ukbap.org.uk. |
| IUCN Category Status |
| IUCN category3 |
 vulnerable4 |
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3 Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4 More information about IUCN categories available here. |
| Find Out More Online* |
| More information about the Grizzled Skipper can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site. |
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Aberrations and Forms |
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| We currently know of 10 named aberrant forms of the Grizzled Skipper. More information about aberrants can be found here. |
 ab. albina - Tutt (1906) |
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| ab. bilineata - Reverdin (1914) |
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| ab. fasciata - Tutt (1896) |
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| ab. intermedia - Oberthür (1910) |
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| ab. marginoelongata - Reverdin (1914) |
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| ab. moryi - Strand (1902) |
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| ab. punctifera - Fuchs (1889) |
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| ab. rufa - Tutt (1906) |
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| ab. scabellata - Reverdin (1910) |
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| ab. taras - Bergstrasser (1780) |
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| References |
| The information on this web site comes from a variety of freely available resources including books, academic reports and web sites alongside my own personal observations of butterflies. The species descriptions are currently in the process of being edited (spring 2009) to include new data, recent personal observations and referencing following a major update to the site.
A complete list of references mentioned in the text on this web site is available here. |
| * External Links Disclaimer |
| This web site includes links to information provided by external web sites which are not in any way under the control of www.britishbutterflies.co.uk. We cannot, therefore, be held responsible for the content of external web pages. |
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23-29mm
