Olive Skipper
Pyrgus serratulae
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The Olive Skipper faces severe population declines across its European range due to intensive agricultural practices that eliminate its host plants and reduce flower-rich meadows essential for adult feeding. Habitat fragmentation has isolated remaining populations, making them vulnerable to local extinctions and reducing genetic diversity. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the timing of larval development relative to host plant phenology, while increased frequency of extreme weather events during the flight period further threatens breeding success.
Habitat
The Olive Skipper inhabits flower-rich grasslands, meadows, and woodland clearings across Europe, particularly favoring areas with abundant wild strawberry and cinquefoil plants that serve as larval host species. Adults require diverse nectar sources and are typically found in unimproved grasslands with a mosaic of short and tall vegetation.
Other threatened species in Hesperiidae
Threatened in Andorra
Frequently asked questions
Why is Olive Skipper classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Olive Skipper live?
What are the main threats to Olive Skipper?
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