Carline skipper Carline skipper The carline skipper ("Pyrgus carlinae") is a butterfly and a species of the skipper (family Hesperiidae). It is only found in southwestern areas of the Alps and can be an abundant species within this restricted range. As with most "Pyrgus" species, the carline skipper can be difficult to identify in the field. The dark brown upper forewings are marked with relatively small white markings but can usually be separated from the olive skipper ("Pyrgus serratulae") by a c-shaped white mark close to the costa and the reddish-brown, not olive green, colour of the under hindwings, with a large
Large skipper lighter spots. The underside of the hindwings is greenish-yellow, marked with sparse yellow spots. The male has a broad scented androconial dark line across the top of the forewings. On the hindwings of the females there are brighter square marks. When the wings are opened, the forewings are obliquely folded, masking the hindwings. The faint chequered pattern on both the upperside and underside, and also the hook-shaped antenna tips, help to distinguish the large skipper from these two orange skippers. The Lulworth skipper also has patterned wings, but does not have the hooked antennae. The caterpillar can reach a length