Wing span
Small, 25–32 mm (0.98–1.25 in.). Females larger than males.
Wing upper side
Blackish brown, white blotches.
Wing underside
Olive green–greyish green with white blotches and specks.
Habitat
Above the fell tundra tree-line.
Flying time
Late June–Mid-July.
Overwintering form
Caterpillar (overwinters two seasons).
Larval foodplant
Mountain avens (Dryas octopetala), Alpine Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla alpina), and different kinds of cinqefoils (Potentilla).
Endangerment
Vulnerable.

The Alpine grizzled skipper is very rare in Finland. The best place to look for it is the south-western slope of the Saana Fell in Finland’s north-western ”arm”. The upper side of its hind wing usually has only one white speck in the middle of the wing (although it may also be missing). It is this speck (or the lack of it) that differentiates the Alpine grizzled skipper from the northern grizzled skipper, which has many specks and is the second most common skipper in the north.

The Alpine grizzled skipper flies close to the ground, and so quickly that it is difficult to follow. Females lay their eggs individually.

Alpine Grizzled Skipper

Taxonomy

Family

Subfamily

Tribe

Genus

Species