Pyrgus malvae

The term "grizzled skipper" is also used as general term for any member of the genus Pyrgus

Pyrgus malvae
Aston Upthorpe, Oxfordshire
Underside
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae
Genus: Pyrgus
Species:
P. malvae
Binomial name
Pyrgus malvae

Pyrgus malvae, the grizzled skipper, is a butterfly species from the family Hesperiidae. It is a small skipper (butterfly) with a chequered pattern on its wings that appears to be black and white. This butterfly can be found throughout Europe and is common in central and southern regions of England. The butterfly prefers three major types of habitat: woodland, grassland, and industrial.[1] Referenced as a superspecies, Pyrgus malvae includes three semispecies: malvae, malvoides, and melotis.[2] Eggs are laid on plants that will provide warmth and proper nutrition for development. As larvae, their movement is usually restricted to a single plant, on which they will build tents, unless they move onto a second host plant. Larvae then spin cocoons, usually on the last host plant they have occupied, where they remain until spring. Upon emerging as adult butterflies, grizzled skippers are quite active during the day and tend to favour blue or violet-coloured plants for food.[1][3][4] They also possess multiple methods of communication; for example, vibrations are used to communicate with ants, and chemical secretions play a role in mating.[5][6] Exhibiting territorial behaviour, males apply perching and patrolling strategies to mate with a desired female.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Jong, Rienk (1987). "Superspecies Pyrgus malvae (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) in the East Mediterranean, with notes on phylogenetic and biological relationships". Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie – via Naturalis Repository.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Hernández-Roldán, Juan L.; Bofill, Roger; Dapporto, Leonardo; Munguira, Miguel L.; Vila, Roger (2014-09-01). "Morphological and chemical analysis of male scent organs in the butterfly genus Pyrgus (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)". Organisms Diversity & Evolution. 14 (3): 269–278. doi:10.1007/s13127-014-0170-x. ISSN 1439-6092. S2CID 15709135.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).