Skipper Butterflies of the Hesperiidae family in Europe
There are over 40 species of Skipper butterflies of the Hesperiidae family found in Europe. These medium to small butterflies have large heads, prominent eyes and splayed antennae. The males of some species have dark costal folds often referred to as scent glands. Flight is generally fast and low. The identification of some species in the field can be uncertain.
The Skipper photographs featured include some taken by Paul Browning on his trips to Spain.
Grizzled Skipper butterfly (Pyrgus malvae)
Oberthur’s Grizzled Skipper butterfly (Pyrgus amoricanus)
Olive Skipper butterfly (Pyrgus foulquieri)
Safflow Skipper butterfly (Pyrgus carthami)
Sage Skipper butterfly (Muschampia proto)
Southern Marbled Skipper butterfly (Carcharodos boeticus)
Tufted Marbled Skipper butterfly (Carcharodos flocciferus)
Marbled Skipper butterfly (Carcharodus lavatherae)
Cinquefoil Skipper butterfly (Pyrgus cirsii)
Large Chequered Skipper butterfly (Heteropterus morpheus)
Yellow-banded Skipper butterfly (Pyrgus sidae)
Dingy Skipper butterfly (Erynnis tages)
Essex Skipper butterfly (Thymelicus lineolamale)
Small Skipper butterfly (Thymelicus sylvestris)
Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly (Hesperia comma)
Large Skipper butterfly (Ochlodes faunus)
More information can be found on the Large Skipper species page
Links to Other European Butterfly Galleries
- European Swallowtail Butterfly family (Papilionidae)
- European White and Yellow Butterflies (Pieridae)
- European Nettle-tree Butterfly (Libytheidae)
- European Duke of Burgundy Butterfly (Riodinidae)
- European Blue Butterflies (Lycaenidae)
- European Hairstreak Butterflies (Lycaenidae)
- European Copper Butterflies (Lycaenidae)
- European Skipper Butterflies (Hesperiidae) – this page
- European Monarch Butterflies (Danaidae)
- European Vanessid Butterflies (Nymphalidae)
- European Fritillary Butterflies (Nymphalidae)
- European Brown Butterflies (Satyridae)