Large Grizzled Skipper
Pyrgus alveus
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The Large Grizzled Skipper faces severe population declines across its European range due to agricultural intensification and the abandonment of traditional low-intensity farming practices. The species requires a mosaic of flower-rich grasslands and scrubland that has been dramatically reduced by modern farming methods and urban development. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the timing of host plant availability and shifting suitable habitat zones northward faster than the butterfly can naturally disperse.
Habitat
The Large Grizzled Skipper inhabits flower-rich calcareous grasslands, chalk downs, and scrubland edges, particularly areas maintained by traditional extensive grazing. It requires a complex habitat mosaic with both nectar sources and its primary host plants from the rose family, typically found in semi-natural grasslands between 200-1500m elevation.
Other threatened species in Hesperiidae
Threatened in Åland Islands
Frequently asked questions
Why is Large Grizzled Skipper classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Large Grizzled Skipper live?
What are the main threats to Large Grizzled Skipper?
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