Marbled skipper - Carcharodus lavatherae
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Family: Hesperiidae. Flight Time: May - July. Size: 28-34mm Altitude: 200-1600m |
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During a trip to the Atlas mountains in Morocco I came
across literally dozens of these little skippers all 'puddling' at the
end of Lac d'Ifni. They pick up vital salts and minerals from the damp
ground which I guess helps them deal with the extreme heat in this region. There are some similarities to the Mallow skipper Carcharodus alceae. The Marbled skipper tends to be a lighter colour and have many more white markings on the upperside. In addition there are five other species of the genus Carcharodus in Europe, some of which are very similar and also very variable. Distribution helps in this case, and is often the best guide for the amateur. |
Fact File |
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| Similar Species | Foodplants | Habitat | Distribution |
Stachys species Woundwort |
Hot, dry, grassy areas. |
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| Early Stages
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