Pyrgus armoricanus in Crete, Greece - butterfliesofcrete.com

Pyrgus armoricanus, Ioannina - photo © Sofia Apergi

Pyrgus armoricanus

BUTTERFLY INFO

Pyrgus armoricanus is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae on the island of Crete, Greece.

Scientific name

Pyrgus armoricanus (Oberthür, 1910)

Common name

Oberthür’s Grizzled Skipper

Classification

Family: Hesperiidae > Subfamily: Pyrginae > Tribus: Pyrgini > Genus: Pyrgus

Wingspan

Male to female: 25-30 mm

Appearance

Both sexes have a similar appearance. There are several white markings on the wings that form a characteristic pattern, typical of Pyrgus genus.

On the forewings, the upper side is dark brown grey-shaded with white marks. The underside is grey-brown with the same white marks, too.

On the hindwings, the upper side is dark brown, less grey-shaded, with pale white marks. The underside is yellow-brown with a few grey shades and white marks.

Behavior

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

Habitat

Pyrgus armoricanus in Crete lives in medium-altitude or lowland, in glades, waysides, dry sunny slopes, river and lake banks, rocky slopes.

Food plant

The larva feeds on Cistaceae and Rosaceae, Potentilla species .

Flight Period

The butterfly flies in 2 generations per year.

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Remarks

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

Status*

Least Concern (LC)

(*European Red List of Butterflies, 2010)

Pyrgus armoricanus - photo © K. Bormpoudaki

Pyrgus armoricanus, Crete - photo © K. Bormpoudaki

Pyrgus armoricanus, Grevena - photo © Xristos Dimadis

Pyrgus armoricanus, Evrytania - photo © Elias Tselos

Pyrgus Armoricanus Distribution Map

*based on http://www.pamperis.gr/THE_BUTTERFLIES_OF_GREECE/MAPS.html

location map based on greek butterflies distributions map by L.N. Pamperis (revised 2022)

Pyrgus armoricanus