Rosy Grizzled Skipper. Pyrgus onopordi (Rambur, 1839)
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Wingspan: From 2 to 2.8 cm.
Routes where it can be observed
Code
Open wings: There are four spots close to the apex on the forewings. The last one is close to the margin. As for the hindwings, they have vague spots in the centre.
Closed wings: They are reddish or chestnut coloured. There are some small white spots on hindwings. The one on the margins is bigger and the one in the centre has an angle that points inside.
Similar species
Red-underwing Skipper: There are four spots close to the front apex on their open wings. Closed wings are reddish or chestnut and a spot with an outer angle can be found in the centre.
Sloperia proto: There are three spots close to the apex on their open wings. Their closed wings are light brown or creamy white, without big spots on the hindwings margins.
Grizzled Skippers (Pyrgus genus) can be difficult to distinguish among them, above all between the Rosy Grizzled Skipper and the Oberthür's Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus armoricanus, Oberthür, 1910), when it becomes necessary to examine masculine genitals. The Rosy Grizzled Skipper is the only one to be found in the Province of Málaga.
Biology and Habitat
It has two generations a year: one in spring and beginning of summer, and the second one at the end of the summer and beginning of autumn. The latter one is more numerous if the end of summer is rainy.
This species is located in sparse forest and scrubland with bushes and grassland. Sometimes it can be found in not very steep zones, well-preserved spaces and some spots which were spoilt by human actions, such as surroundings of farmhouses, some of which are in ruins, river terraces and road or street ditches. These butterflies are close to their caterpillars' foodplants, which are mainly mallows (Malva spp.), but also the White Rock-rose (Helianthemum apenninum) and the Creeping Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans).
Distribution in the Great Path
These butterflies are not common along the GMP, and they can only be found in the northern part of the province and western stages. Some samples might be seen along the majority of routes, except on urban stages.
