Carline Skipper
Pyrgus carlinae
The carline skipper is a butterfly and a species of the skipper. It is a montane butterfly only found in southwestern areas of the Alps.
15
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carline_skipper
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Hesperiidae
Genus
Pyrgus
Carline Skipper belongs to the family Hesperiidae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The carline skipper is a butterfly and a species of the skipper. It is a montane butterfly only found in southwestern areas of the Alps. It can be an abundant species within this restricted range.
The Carline Skipper faces significant threats from habitat loss and fragmentation due to agricultural intensification and development in its montane grassland habitats. Climate change poses an additional risk by altering the alpine and subalpine conditions this specialized butterfly requires, potentially forcing populations to higher elevations with limited suitable habitat remaining.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Alpine and subalpine grasslands, mountain meadows, and rocky slopes typically between 1,500-2,500m elevation in the European Alps and Pyrenees. The species requires flower-rich grasslands with its host plants from the Rosaceae family, particularly in areas with sparse vegetation and exposed ground.
Threats
Climate change impacts on alpine habitats
Fragmentation of montane grasslands
Habitat loss from agricultural intensification
Overgrazing in mountain pastures
Tourism and recreational development
Found in 15 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
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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). Carline Skipper (Pyrgus carlinae). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/carline-skipper