Photo © Mike Wall

Mallow Skipper

Carcharodus alceae

Checklist Number
57.0011 [B&F: 1533]

Verification
Record requires retention of specimen until confirmed, and may require dissection. Consult with CMR if unsure

Classification

Family:Hesperiidae
Subfamily:Pyrginae
Genus:Carcharodus
Species:alceae
Authority:(Esper, 1780)

Two were found in Surrey in 1923, where they were considered to have been introduced accidentally, and given this species is not considered to be migratory, it is unclear why it should deserve an entry on the British list.

A common species of roadside verges, hillsides and flower meadows throughout much of mainland Europe. Wingspan 26-34 mm. Larva feeds on Common Mallow.