Alpine Grizzled Skipper
Pyrgus andromedae
The Alpine Grizzled Skipper is a small butterfly species found in high-altitude mountain environments across parts of Europe and North America. This skipper displays distinctive grizzled gray-brown wing patterns with white checkered markings along the wing edges, making it well-adapted to blend with rocky alpine terrain.
18
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_grizzled_skipper
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Hesperiidae
Genus
Pyrgus
Alpine Grizzled Skipper belongs to the family Hesperiidae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The Alpine Grizzled Skipper is a small butterfly species found in high-altitude mountain environments across parts of Europe and North America. This skipper displays distinctive grizzled gray-brown wing patterns with white checkered markings along the wing edges, making it well-adapted to blend with rocky alpine terrain. As an adult, it serves as a pollinator for alpine wildflowers, while its caterpillars feed on specific mountain plant species, contributing to nutrient cycling in fragile alpine ecosystems.
The Alpine Grizzled Skipper faces significant threats from climate change, as rising temperatures force this cold-adapted species to retreat to higher elevations with increasingly limited suitable habitat. Habitat fragmentation and degradation from human activities, combined with the species' restricted range in alpine environments, make populations particularly vulnerable to local extinctions.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Alpine and subalpine meadows, grasslands, and rocky slopes typically above 1,500 meters elevation in mountainous regions. The species requires flower-rich meadows with specific host plants and is adapted to harsh, cold mountain climates with short growing seasons.
Threats
Climate change and warming temperatures
Habitat fragmentation and loss
Limited dispersal ability between fragmented populations
Overgrazing by livestock in alpine meadows
Tourism and recreational activities in sensitive habitats
Found in 18 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Alpine Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus andromedae). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/alpine-grizzled-skipper