Insect
Chequered Skipper
Carterocephalus palaemonAlso known as Arctic Skipper
Chequered skippers flit through damp woodland glades and marshy grasslands with a distinctively bouncy, darting flight. Males establish sunny territories on low foliage, springing upward to investigate passing insects or court females. Caterpillars spend the winter sheltered inside rolled grass leaves before pupating in early spring.
WoodlandGrasslandDiurnal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyFlower nectar, Purple moor-grass, False brome
Predators
- Spiders
- Insectivorous birds
- Dragonflies
ThreatsWoodland canopy closure and loss of open glades
HabitatsDamp woodlands, sunny clearings, and marshy grasslands
Life span1 year (adult flight lasts 2–3 weeks)
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyHesperiidae
- GenusCarterocephalus
- SpeciesCarterocephalus palaemon
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for brown forewings checkered with bright golden-orange spots and a erratic flight pattern near sunny glades.
- Support conservation
- Remain on designated forest paths to avoid trampling delicate host grasses and caterpillars.
Responsible observation
- Look at Flowers: Search for adults basking or nectar-feeding on flowers like bugle and bramble during sunny mornings.
- Approach Quietly: Move slowly to avoid casting a shadow over resting butterflies.
Habitat Companion (c) Licheng Shih, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Licheng Shih · cc-by
Family Relative (c) SteveM4560, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Relative (c) SteveM4560, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by SteveM4560 · cc-by
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