Mallow Skipper - Carcharodus alceae

Scientific Name: Carcharodus alceae.

English Name: Mallow Skipper.

French Name: La Grisette (='the grayling') or l'Hespérie de l'alcée (='the mallow skipper').

5 Key Characters:

• small (forewing 13 - 16 mm long).
• upperside marbled grey and shades of brown.
• a white crescent in the middle of the forewing and another towards the tip.
• underside is brown with some pale spots in the middle and along the edge.
• rather moth like.

Lookalikes: Tufted Marbled Skipper C. flocciferus, but this species is uncommon. Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages, which does not have mottled hindwings and is a duller brown and grey. The browns of C. alceae are rather warm, and the species has a rather raggedy appearance and haphazard pattern compared to E. tages. The Mallow Skipper itself varies, with summer individuals being paler and with a more contrasting pattern than the spring individuals.

Habitat: Flower rich and dry grasslands, fallow land, steep banks and gardens. In gardens they are attracted to the ornamental members of the mallow family such as hollyhocks, and on roadside banks and agricultural fallow the abundance of wild mallows Malva spp.

Flight Period: March-April-May-June-July-August-September-October.

Caterpillar: small and green with a dark head, all year, overwintering as a caterpillar.

Host Plant: Mallows (Common Mallow Malva sylvestris, Musk Mallow M. moschata, Greater Musk Mallow M. alcea, Dwarf Mallow M. neglecta, Palm Leaf Marshmallow Althaea cannabina, Common Hollyhock Alcea rosea).

Status: This is a southern species, but can be locally common in the Touraine Loire Valley and Brenne.

Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:
Photographs are numbered from left to right and top to bottom. All photos will enlarge in a new window if you click on them. 1 on Red Deadnettle Lamium purpureum.

Index

Habitats
Bocage
Etangs (small man-made lakes)
Calcareous grassland (pelouse)
Prairie (meadow)
Rural tracks (chemins ruraux)
Gardens
Small rivers
Big rivers
Loire River
Dry Limestone Ridges (éperons)
Roadside Banks, Verges and Ditches (les bordes de la route, les talus et les douves/fossés)
Sand and Gravel (sable et gravier) 
Frost and Snow (gel et neige)
Mosaic Landscapes
Agricultural Land
Heathland (landes et brandes)
Forest and Woodland (forêt et bois) 


Ants
Yellow Meadow Ant Lasius flavus Formicidae
A carpenter ant Campanotus vagus


Bees Aculeata 
Mining Bees Andrenidae
Anthophoridae 
Eurasian Honey Bee Apis mellifera Apidae
Buff and White-tailed Bumble Bees Bombus terrestris and B. lucorum Apidae
Common Carder Bumble Bee Bombus pascuorum Apidae
Garden Bumble Bee Bombus hortorum Apidae
Red-tailed Bumble Bee Bombus lapidarius Apidae
Early-nesting Bumble Bee Bombus pratorum

Sweat Bees Halictidae
Mason, Leafcutter and Orchard Bees Megachilidae 
Violet Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea Xylocopidae


Beetles Coleptera
Ground Beetles Carabidae
Fairy-ring Longhorn Pseudovadonia livida Cerambycidae
Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn Agapanthia villosoviridescens Cerambycidae

Spotted Longhorn Chlorophorus glabromaculatus Cerambycidae
Red Longhorn Stictoleptura rubra Cerambycidae
A flower longhorn S. cordigera Cerambycidae
Black and Yellow Longhorn  Rutpela maculata Cerambycidae
Wasp Beetle Clytra arietis Cerambycidae
Lesser Capricorn Beetle Cerambyx scopolii Cerambycidae
Bloody-nosed Beetle Timarcha tenebricosa Chrysomelidae
Lesser Bloody-nosed Beetle Timarcha goettingensis Chrysomelidae
Poplar Leaf Beetle Chrysomela populi
Reed Beetles Chrysomelidae

Ladybirds Coccinellidae
Weevils Curculionidae

Chafers Scarabaeidae
Churchyard Beetle Blaps mucronata
European Stag Beetle Lucanus cervus 
Eurasian Glow-worm Lampyris noctiluca (Lampyridae) 
Violet Oil Beetle Meloe violaceus Meloidae 

Birds Aves
Hunting
Eurasian Crane Grus grus
Crows Corvidae
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Mute Swan Cygnus olor Anatidae 
Grebes Podicipedidae
Herons Ardidae
Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus
Rails Rallidae
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Swifts, Swallows and Martins Apodidae and Hirundinidae
Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus
Great Tit Parus major
Finches Fringillidae
Plovers Charadriidae
Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
Nuthatch Sitta europaea (Sittidae) 
European Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 
Redstarts Phoenicurus spp  


Bugs Hemiptera
Broad-headed Bugs Alydidae   
Assassin Bugs Reduviidae
Tortoise Bugs Scutelleridae
Odontotarsus purpureolineatus (a shield bug) Scutelleridae
Tibicina haematodes (a cicada) Cicadidae


Caddisflies Tricoptera

Centipedes Chilopoda
House Centipede Scutigera coleoptrata

Dragonflies Odonata
Species list
Azure Bluet Coenagrion puella Coenagrionidae
Variable Bluet Coenagrion pulchellum Coenagrionidae
Common Bluet Enallagma cyathigerum
Common Bluetail Ischnura elegans
Blue Featherleg Platycnemis pennipes
Eurasian Winter Damselfly Sympecma fusca Lestidae
Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens
Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo
Small Spreadwing Lestes virens 
Western Willow Spreadwing Lestes viridis Lestidae
Yellow Clubtail Gomphus simillimus Gomphidae
Common Clubtail Gomphus vulgatissimus
Western Clubtail Gomphus pulchellus Gomphidae 
Small Pincertail Onychogomphus forcepatus Gomphidae
Large Pincertail Onychogomphus uncatus Gomphidae

Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa Libellulidae
Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata
Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum Libellulidae
White-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum albistylum Libellulidae
Keeled Skimmer Orthetrum coerulescens Libellulidae
Moustached Darter Sympetrum vulgatum Libellulidae
Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum Libellulidae
Blue Emperor Anax imperator


Ferns
Rustyback Ceterach officinarum (Aspleniaceae)

Fish
Eurasian Carp Cyprinus carpio

Flies Diptera
A robber fly Dasypogon diadema Asilidae
Bee Flies Bombyliidae
A bee fly Anthrax anthrax Bombyliidae
Dark-edged Bee Fly Bombylius major
Thick-headed Flies Conopidae
Snipe Flies Rhagionidae
Drone Flies Eristalis spp Syrphidae
Marmalade Hover Fly Episyrphus balteatus Syrphidae
Migrant Hover Fly Eupeodes corollae
A hover fly Xanthogramma citrofasciatum
Hornet Mimic Hover Fly Volucella zonaria Syrphidae
Glass-winged Syrphus Hover Fly Syrphus vitripennis Syrphidae
Helophilus spp hover flies Syrphidae
Eurasian Cherry Fruit Fly Rhagoletis cerasi Tephritidae
Crane Flies Tipulidae
Blow Flies Calliphoridae
Parasitic Flies Tachinidae
March Flies Bibionidae
House Flies Muscidae

Fungi
Fungi Forays
Inkcaps Psathyrallaceae
Bracket Fungi Polyporaceae
Beefsteak Fungus Fistulina hepatica Fistulinaceae
Tar Spot Rhytisma acerinum
Choke Epichloe typhina Clavicipitaceae
Ceps Boletaceae 
Warted Puffballs Lycoperdon perlatum Agaricaceae
Parasol Mushroom Macrolepiota procera Agaricaceae
Yellow Stainer Agaricus xanthodermus Agaricaceae
Blackening Waxcap Hygrocybe conica Hygrophoraceae
Yellow Brain Fungus Tremella mesenterica Tremellaceae
Blusher mushroom Amanita rubescens Amanitaceae
Panthercap mushroom Amanita pantherina Amanitaceae
Deathcap mushroom Amanita phalloides Amanitaceae
Caesar's Mushroom Amanita caesarea Amanitaceae
Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria Amanitaceae
Blackening Chanterelle Craterellus melanoxeros Cantharellaceae
Trompette de la mort Craterellus cornucopioides Cantharellaceae
Green Elfcup Chlorociboria sp Ascomycetes
Dead Moll's Fingers Xylaria longipes Ascomycetes
Dog Lichens Peltigera spp Ascomycetes
Orange Peel Fungus Aleuria aurantia Ascomycetes
Clouded Funnel mushroom Clitocybe nebularis Tricholomataceae
Wood Blewit Lepista nuda Tricholomataceae
Pear Fibrecap Inocybe pyriodora Inocybaceae
Devil's Fingers Clathrus archeri Phallaceae
Common Stinkhorn Phallus impudicus Phallaceae
Deceiver Laccaria laccata Hydnangaceae
Morel Morchella esculenta Morchellaceae
Rosy Bonnet Mycena rosea Mycenaceae
Stocking Webcap Cortinarius torvus Cortinariaceae
Bruising Webcap Cortinarius purpurascens Cortinariaceae
Upright Coral fungus Ramaria stricta Gomphaceae

Grasshoppers and Crickets Orthoptera
Saddle-backed Bushcricket Epiphigger epiphigger
Great Green Bush-cricket Tettigonia viridissima
Field Cricket Gryllus campestris

Lichens and Mosses
Identifying and Surveying Mosses and Lichens
Dog Lichens Peltigera spp
Crescent-cup Liverwort Lunularia cruciata
Thick-point Grimmia Schistidium crassipilum
Wall Screw-moss Tortula muralis 
Cypress-leaved Plait Moss Hypnum cypressiforme

Mammals Mammalia
Species list
Hunting 
Bat Surveying in Indre et Loire

Wild Boar Sus scrofa 
Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus Vespertilionidae
Domestic / Feral Cat Felis catus
Wild Cat Felis sylvestris
White-toothed Shrew Crocidura russula
Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris 
Bank Vole Myodes glareolus
Short-tailed Vole Microtus agrestis
House Mouse Mus musculus
Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus
Coypu Myocastor coypus 
Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus
Eurasian Wolf Canis lupus
Brown Hare Lepus europaeus 
Badger Meles meles

Mantids and Stick Insects Dictyoptera and Phasmida
Praying Mantis Mantis religiosa

Molluscs
Roman Snail Helix pomatia

Moths and Butterflies Lepidoptera 
Butterfly Species List
Large Blue Maculinea arion Lycaenidae
Green-underwinged Blue Glaucopsyche alexis Lycaenidae Polyommatinae
Long-tailed Blue Lampides boeticus Lycaenidae Polyommatinae
Provencal Short-tailed Blue Everes alcetas
Short-tailed Blue Everes argiades Lycenidae polyommatinae
Brown Argus Aricia agestis 
Common Blue Polyommatus icarus 
Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus
Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus 
Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxa Nymphalidae
Knapweed Fritillary Melitaea phoebe
Spotted Fritillary Melitaea didyma Nymphalidae 
Heath Fritillary Mellicta athalia Nymphalidae
Queen of Spain Issoria lathonia Nymphalidae
Violet Fritillary Clossiana dia
Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia Nymphalidae Heliconiinae 
Marbled Fritillary Brenthis daphne Nymphalidae 
Purple Hairstreak Neozephyrus quercus Lycaenidae
Ilex Hairstreak Satyrium ilicis Lycenidae Lycaeninae
Large Skipper Ochlodes venatus Hesperiidae
Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris Hesperiidae
Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineolus Hesperiidae
Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages
Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvae
Mallow Skipper Carcharodus alceae 
Large Chequered Skipper Heteropterus morpheus Hesperiidae
Eurasian Swallowtail Papilio machaon Papilionidae
Scarce Swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius Papilionidae
Orange-tip Anthocharis cardamines
Wood White Leptidea sinapsis
Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Pieridae
Black-veined White Aporia crataegi Pieridae
Clouded Yellow Colias crocea Pieridae
Marbled White Melanargia galathea Nymphalidae
Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus
Pearly Heath Coenonympha arcania
Sooty Copper Lycaena tityrus 
Small Copper Lycaena phlaeus Lycaenidae Lycaeninae
Speckled Wood Parage aegeria 
Comma Polygonia c-album Nymphalidae
Map Araschinia levana Nymphalidae

Wall Lasiommata megera 
Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus Nymphalidae
Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina Nymphalidae 
Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta 
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Nymphalidae Nymphalinae
Purple Emperor Apatura iris Nymphalidae Apaturinae
Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Nymphalidae Satyrinae

Burnets Zygaenidae
Eggars Lasiocampidae
Emperors Saturniidae
Footmen Arctiidae
Owlets Noctuidae
Pine Processionary Thaumetopoea pityocampa
Prominents Notodontidae
Tigers Arctiidae
Thorns Geometridae
Broad-bordered Bee Hawk Moth Hemaris fuciformis Sphingidae
Hummingbird Hawk Moth Macroglossum stellatarum Sphingidae
Small Elephant Hawk Moth Deilepha porcellus Sphingidae

Grasses, Sedges and Rushes Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Juncaceae (and some unrelated lookalikes)
Bent Grasses Agrostis spp Poaceae
Common Reed Phragmites australis Poaceae

Spike Rushes Eleocharis spp Cyperaceae
Sedges Carex spp Cyperaceae
Rushes Juncus spp Juncaceae
Field Wood Rush Luzula campestris Juncaceae
Bur-reeds Sparganiaceae

Mayflies Ephemeroptera

Orchids Orchidaceae
Identify Your Orchid
Species list
Reference list
Hybrid Orchids 
Burnt Orchid Neotinia ustulata subsp ustulata
Common Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia conopsea
Pyrennean Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia pyrenaica
Short-spurred Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia odoratissima
Broad-leafed Helleborine Epipactis helleborine subsp helleborine
Violet Helleborine Epipactis purpurata
Mueller's Helleborine Epipactis muelleri 
Small-leafed Helleborine Epipactis microphylla
Brenne Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza brennensis 
Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii subsp fuchsii 
Heath Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza maculata
Loose-flowered Orchid Anacamptis laxiflora
Green-winged Orchid Anacamptis morio
Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis
White Helleborine Cephalanthera damasonium
Red Helleborine Cephalanthera rubra
Narrow-leafed Helleborine Cephalanthera longifolia
Autumn Lady's Tresses Spiranthes spiralis 
Tongue Orchid Serapias lingua
Lesser Butterfly Orchid Platanthera bifolia
Greater Butterfly Orchid Platanthera chlorantha
Fly Orchid Ophrys insectivera
Early Spider Orchid Ophrys sphegodes
Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera
Man Orchid Orchis anthropophora
Early Purple Orchid Orchis mascula
Military Orchid Orchis militaris 
Monkey Orchid Orchis simia
Monkey x Lady Orchid hybrid Orchis x angusticruris
Monkey x Man Orchid hybrid O. simia x O. anthopophora
Lady Orchid Orchis purpurea
Lizard Orchid Himantoglossum hircinum
Bird's Nest Orchid Neottia nidus-avis
Common Twayblade Neottia ovata
Violet Limodore Limodorum avortivum

Reptiles and Amphibians
Green Frog Group Pelophylax spp
Eurasian Toad Bufo bufo
Agile Frog Rana dalmatina
European Wall Lizard Podarcis muralis 
Western Whip Snake Hierophis viridiflavus


Sawflies Symphyta

Spiders Araneae
Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi Araneidae

Trees
Wild Plum Prunus domesticus 
London Plane Platanus x hispanica Platanaceae 
Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa 
Beech Fagus sylvatica Fagaceae
Oaks Quercus spp 
Medlar Mespilus germanicus 
Box Buxus sempervirens 
Common Lime Tilia x europaea 
Ivy Hedera helix 
Spindle Euonymus europaeus Celastraceae 
Hornbeam Carpinus betulus Betulaceae 
White Elm Ulmus laevis Ulmaceae 


Umbellifers Apiaceae
Fine-leafed Water Dropwort Oenanthe aquatica
Marsh Pennywort Hydrocotyle vulgaris
Milk Parsley Peucedanum palustre
Sanicle Sanicula europaea
Pepper-saxifrage Silaum silaus
Whorled Caraway Carum verticillatum
Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris



Wasps
Galls
Great Potter Wasp Delta unguiculatum Vespidae
European Hornet Vespa crabro Vespidae
Social Wasps Vespidae
Digger Wasps Crabronidae



Wild Flowers - Grassland Species
Field Scabious Knautia arvensis
Small Scabious Scabiosa columbaria
Eyebrights Euphrasia spp
Verbenas Verbenaceae
Corncockle Agrostemma githago Caryophyllaceae
Carthusian Pink Dianthus carthusianorum Caryophyllaceae
Soapwort Saponaria officinalis Caryophyllaceae
Common Knapweed Centaurea jacea Asteraceae
Hawkweeds Hieracium agg Asteraceae

Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara
Common Vetch Vicia sativa Fabaceae
Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca Fabaceae
Sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia Fabaceae
Wild Liquorice Astragalus glycophyllus Fabaceae
Long-leafed Crimson Clover Trifolium rubens
Wild Pansy Viola tricolor 
Common Dog Violet Viola riviniana 
Milkworts Polygala spp
Speedwells Veronica spp
Green-winged Orchid Anacamptis morio
Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis
Burnt Orchid Neotinia ustulata subsp ustulata
Common Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia conopsea
Pyrennean Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia pyrenaica
Short-spurred Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia odoratissima 
Red Helleborine Cephalanthera rubra
Autumn Lady's Tresses Spiranthes spiralis 
Tongue Orchid Serapias lingua
Lesser Butterfly Orchid Platanthera bifolia
Greater Butterfly Orchid Platanthera chlorantha
Fly Orchid Ophrys insectivera
Early Spider Orchid Ophrys sphegodes
Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera
Man Orchid Orchis anthropophora
Early Purple Orchid Orchis mascula
Military Orchid Orchis militaris 
Monkey Orchid Orchis simia
Monkey x Lady Orchid hybrid Orchis x angusticruris
Lady Orchid Orchis purpurea
Lizard Orchid Himantoglossum hircinum
Daisy Bellis perennis 
Cowslip Primula veris
Grape Hyacinth Muscari neglectum
Common Fumitory Fumaria officinalis 
Lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica
Crested Cow-wheat Melampyrum cristatum (Scrophulariaceae)
Garden Asparagus Asparagus officinalis 
Hairy Rockcress Arabis hirsuta
Purple Gromwell Lithospermum purpureocaeruleum
Greater Star of Bethlehem Ornithogalum umbellatum
Snakeshead Fritillary Fritillaria meleagris (Liliaceae)
Autumn Squill Scilla autumnalis (Asparagaceae ex Liliaceae)
Wormwood Artemisia absinthium
Broomrapes Orobanche spp
Rampion Bellflower Campanula rapunculus
Clustered Bellflower Campanula glomerata (Campanulaceae)
Large Blue Alkanet Anchusa italica
Carduncellus mitissimus
Common Globularia Globularia vulgaris
Wild Oregano Origanum vulgare (Lamiaceae)
Breckland Thyme Thymus serpyllum (Lamiaceae)
Ground-pine Ajuga chamaepitys (Lamiaceae)
Yellow Woundwort Stachys recta (Lamiaceae)
Perforated Saint John's Wort Hypericum perforatum (Clusiaceae)
Pepper-saxifrage Silaum silaus 
Narrow-leaved Flax Linum tenuifolium (Linaceae)
Pasqueflower Pulsatilla vulgaris (Ranunculaceae)
Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria (Ranunculaceae)


Wild Flowers - Wetland Species
Water Plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica
Lesser Water Plantain Baldellia ranunculoides Alismataceae
Water Crowfoot Ranunculus (Batrachium) spp
Pondweed Potamogetonaceae
Heath Lobelia Lobelia urens Campanulaceae
Water Violet Hottonia palustris Primulaceae
Pale Dog Violet Viola lactea
Bugle Ajuga reptans 
Speedwells Veronica spp
Marsh St John's Wort Hypericum elodes
Fine-leafed Water Dropwort Oenanthe aquatica Apiaceae

Marsh Pennywort Hydrocotyle vulgaris Apiaceae
Milk Parsley Peucedanum palustre Apiaceae
Whorled Caraway Carum verticillatum Apiaceae
Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris Apiaceae

Brenne Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza brennensis 
Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii subsp fuchsii 
Heath Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza maculata
Loose-flowered Orchid Anacamptis laxiflora
Lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica 
White Asphodel Asphodelus albus
Dames Violet Hesperis matronalis
Yellow Iris Iris pseudacorus 
Marsh Thistle Cirsium palustre
Bog Pimpernel Anagallis tenella
Brookweed Samolus valerandi
Common Bladderwort Utricularia vulgaris
Water Primrose Ludwigia spp
Winter Heliotrope Petasites fragrans Asteraceae
Snakeshead Fritillary Fritillaria meleagris Liliaceae
Soapwort Saponaria officinalis Caryophyllaceae
Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria (Ranunculaceae)



Wild Flowers - Woodland Species
Small Yellow Foxglove Digitalis lutea
Cyclamen Cyclamen hederifolium
Common Dog Violet Viola riviniana
Sweet Violet Viola odorata 
Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea 
Sanicle Sanicula europaea Apiaceae
Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris Apiaceae


Broad-leafed Helleborine Epipactis helleborine subsp helleborine
Violet Helleborine Epipactis purpurata
Mueller's Helleborine Epipactis muelleri 
Small-leafed Helleborine Epipactis microphylla
White Helleborine Cephalanthera damasonium
Narrow-leafed Helleborine Cephalanthera longifolia
Red Helleborine Cephalanthera rubra
Bird's Nest Orchid Neottia nidus-avis
Common Twayblade Neottia ovata
Violet Limodore Limodorum avortivum
Early Purple Orchid Orchis mascula
Lady Orchid Orchis purpurea
Mistletoe Viscum album 
Black Bryony Tamis communis
Butchers Broom Ruscus aculeatus 
Common Columbine Aquilegia vulgaris
Dogs Mercury Mecurialis perennis
Broomrapes Orobanche spp
Nettle-leafed Bellflower Campanula trachelium
Clustered Bellflower Campanula glomerata 
Peach-leaved Bellflower Campanula persicifolia (Campanulaceae)
Black Pea Lathyrus niger
Stinking Iris Iris foetidissima
Lily-of-the-Valley Convallaria majalis Liliaceae
English Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta Asparagaceae (ex Liliaceae)
Long-leafed Crimson Clover Trifolium rubens
Ivy Hedera helix 
Blackberry Rubus fruticosus Rosaceae
Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria (Ranunculaceae)
Purple Toothwort Lathraea clandestina (Orobanchaceae)
Wild Liquorice Astragalus glycophyllus Fabaceae
Purple Gromwell Lithospermum purpureocaeruleum

Resources 
L'Association de Botanique et de Mycologie de Sainte Maure de Touraine 
Walking Trails and Maps 
Fungi Forays 

Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineolus

       

Scientific Name: Thymelicus lineolus (Hesperiidae).

English Name: Essex Skipper (Skipper family).


French Name: L'Hespérie du dactyle (='cocksfoot grass skipper').

5 Key Characters: 

• sex mark on male forewing thin and indistinct.
• underneath of antennae tips black.
• small (c30mm from wingtip to wingtip).
• tawny orange with black edges.
• gregarious -- where you see one you are likely to see others.
  

Lookalikes: Other tawny skippers, especially Small Skipper T. sylvestris, which has a stronger sex mark and a narrower black wing edge.


Habitat: Open grassland.


Flight Period: June-July-August.


Status: Very common.

Caterpillar Host Plant: Grasses such as Upright Brome Bromus erectus, Bald Brome B. racemosus, Creeping Soft Grass Holcus mollis, Common Bent Agrostis capillaris.


Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:

Nectaring on Field Scabious Knautia arvensis.

   

Small Skipper - Thymelicus sylvestris

Scientific Name: Thymelicus sylvestris. The genus name refers to the Thymelikos, the chorus in certain Greek plays, who skip about the stage before striking a pose, reminiscent of the characteristic flight of these skippers.

English Name: Small Skipper.

French Name: La Bande noire (='the black stripe') or l'Hespérie de la houque (='the soft grass skipper').

5 Key Characters:

• the tips of the antennae are tawny orange (fauve) underneath.
• males have a strong black linear sex mark (emitting pheromones) on the forewing.
• small (forewings 13 - 15 mm long).
• upperside tawny orange with a fine black border.
• found in grassy places.

Lookalikes: The main difficulty is distinguishing this species from the Essex Skipper T. lineolus, which has black antennae tips underneath, a smaller, thinner and less obvious sex mark and a slightly broader black border. Other species of tawny skippers are also very similar in the field, but have pale spots (usually quite subtle).

Habitat: Open grassy places and grassy woodland.

Flight Period: May-June-July-August-September.

Caterpillar: Small, green, all year. Spins a cocoon and overwinters inside it.

Host Plant: Grasses (often Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus, sometimes Timothy Phleum pratense).

Status: Common, widely distributed and quite abundant.

Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:

Grizzled Skipper - Pyrgus malvae

Scientific Name: Pyrgus malvae. The specific name implies that the caterpillars eat mallow, but this presumably comes from a mistaken idea, as the caterpillars eat wild strawberry.

English Name: Grizzled Skipper

French Name: Le Tacheté (='spotted'); l'Hespérie de la mauve (='mallow skipper')

5 Key Characters:

• very small (forewings 11-13 mm)
• upperside grey brown with numerous white rather square spots.
• often a series of white spots running close to the edge of the hind wings.
• underside mottled greyish yellow or greenish, sometimes brick red.
• often encountered on dark damp soil, where it is well camouflaged.

Lookalikes: Red Underwing Skipper Spialia sertorius, which has a brighter, less mottled underside and less square looking white spots. Other Pyrgus spp, which are all rarer and have less white on the hind wings. Use Roger Gibbons Pyrgus Identification pages to separate this difficult genus. There is an illustrated key using the uppersides here and another using the undersides here.

Habitat: Unimproved grassland.

Flight Period: March-April-May-June-July-August-September-October.

Caterpillar: Green with dark head. May - September.

Host Plant: Cinquefoils Potentilla spp (P. hirta, Creeping Cinquefoil P. reptans, Spring Cinquefoil P. tabernaemontani, Tormentil P. erecta, Trailing Tormentil P. argentea) and other Rosaceae (Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria, Wild Strawberry Fragaria vesca).

Status: Widespread and quite abundant, but seems to be in regression in the north and west. This is a common and conspicuous butterfly in the Touraine Loire Valley and Brenne.

Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:
Photographs numbered from left to right and top to bottom. 1-4 in our orchard, April.

Nectaring on Wild Oregano Origanum vulgaris.

Nectaring on Wild Oregano Origanum vulgaris.

Nectaring on Wild Oregano Origanum vulgaris.

Nectaring on Wild Oregano Origanum vulgaris (with a Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus on the right).

Nectaring on Wild Oregano Origanum vulgaris.

Large Chequered Skipper Heteropterus morpheus

Scientific Name: Heteropterus morpheus (Hesperiidae).

English Name: Large Chequered Skipper (Skipper family).


French Name: Le Miroir (='mirror').

5 Key Characters:

• underside yellow with large white spots heavily outlined in black.
• upperside sooty brownish black with a few small yellowish white spots.
• legs and antennae orangey yellow.
• flies very rapidly and jerkily, flashing the contrasting upper and under sides.
• 
  

Lookalikes: None.


Habitat: Damp heathland, marshes, edges of swamps, woodland edges and clearings.


Flight Period: May-June-July-August.

Caterpillar Host Plant: Grasses, especially Purple Moor Grass Molinia caerulea.


Status: This is a southern species. In the Touraine Loire Valley and Brenne it is very localised and can be common. Can be seen in the Forest of Lancosme in the Brenne, in the Saint Sulpice chapel clearing and the clearing known as le rond des 5 freres. Also present in the Parc de Boussay.


Photographed by Loire Valley Nature: