Grizzled Skipper
Pyrgus malvae
National Status
Found across southern England, range contracting. Population trend 10 years to 2016 – no change; since 1976 -37%.
West Midlands Status
A few scattered colonies, range contracting. Population trend 10 years to 2016 – stable but 2013 was a poor year.
Grizzled Skipper was recorded in 18 squares in 2026
10 Year Trend Analysis
Habitat
Herb-rich sites with a mosaic of sward heights and areas of sparse vegetation or bare ground providing a warm microclimate. Found in woodland clearings, rides, quarries, unimproved grassland and brownfield sites.
Caterpillar Food Plant
The main foodplants are Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), Creeping Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans) and Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca). Barren Strawberry (Potentilla sterilis), Bramble (Rubus fruticosus), Dog-rose (Rosa canina), Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor), Tormentil (Potentilla erecta) and Wood Avens (Geum urbanum) are also used.
Life Cycle
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Egg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larva | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pupa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adult | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flight Period
Mid-April to late June, numbers peaking in the second half of May.
First/Last Sightings 2026
| First Sighting | Recorded by | Last Sighting | Recorded by |
| 20 April | Bird, Lucy | 30 May | Thompson, Neil |
Distribution Map
Key
Total number of sightings per tetrad
Hotspots
Oswestry Hills in Shropshire, Doward in Herefordshire, Swynnerton in Staffordshire, Throckmorton Landfill Site, Llanymynech Rocks, Ewyas Harold, Doward, Pound Green. Honeybourne - Disused Railway Line