Carcharodus alceae

BUTTERFLY INFO

Carcharodus alceae is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae on the island of Crete, Greece.

Scientific name

Carcharodus alceae (Esper, 1780)

Common name

Mallow Skipper

Classification

Family: Hesperiidae > Subfamily: Pyrginae > Tribus: Carcharodini > Genus: Carcharodus

Wingspan

Male to female: 25-30 mm

Appearance

It is a small, brown butterfly and its background color of the forewings is pinkish-brown with some white spots. The upper side of the hindwing is without white spots, brownish or grey-brown colored. The antenna clubs have cherry brown color at tips.

Male and female are very similar and usually second and third-generation appear with lighter colors.

Behavior

It has a rapid flight, low to the ground, and keeps the wings open when resting or visiting flowers.

Habitat

Carcharodus alceae in Crete lives mostly in medium altitude and lowland, in dry warm open areas, seaside, olive groves, forest edges, glades, ruderal areas, and waysides.

Food plant

The larva feeds on Malvaceae plants, i.e. Lavatera bryonifolia, Malva sylvestris, etc.

Flight period

The butterfly flies in 2-3 generations per year.

Remarks

The butterfly has a unique appearance in comparison with other Hesperiidae species in Crete and can’t be confused with other butterflies on the island.

Status*

Least Concern (LC)

(*Red List Greece, 2024)