Cinquefoil skipper Cinquefoil skipper The cinquefoil skipper ("Pyrgus cirsii") is a species of skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae). It has a scattered distribution in central and southern Europe, and several isolated populations in north-eastern Turkey and in Armenia. This species has a wingspan of 26–28 mm and, typically of its genus, can be very difficult to identify in the field. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the carline skipper ("P. carlinae") as the two are known to interbreed where their ranges overlap in the Alps but can usually be recognised by the prominent squarish, rather than c-shaped, white spot near the costa
Lulworth skipper is evidence to suggest that minimal grazing is not detrimental to the species, and may in fact be beneficial in that it encourages the growth of flowers that act as adult nectar sources. The females lay their eggs in rows of 5 to 6 (although as many as 15 have been recorded) on the flower-sheath of Tor-grass ("Brachypodium pinnatum"), preferring the dead sheaths of tall plants. The care taken by females over where to lay their eggs is considered the only remarkable part of the Lulworth skipper breeding process, otherwise it is considered common. Upon hatching, the 2.5 cm (1