24/07/2026
FRIDAY FLUTTER #29: Species Of The Week - Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)
A small, fast-flying Butterfly in the Hesperiidae family. which is now restricted to damp grassy habitats in western Scotland and a recently reintroduced population in eastern England. Males are seen more frequently than females, perching in sheltered positions either next to wood edges or among light scrub or bracken. They dart out to investigate passing objects, defending their territory against other males and other Butterfly species, or in the hope of locating a potential mate. Females are less conspicuous and fly low among grasses when egg-laying.
The Chequered Skipper has been reintroduced in England from continental Europe as part of a long-term conservation plan. In Scotland, there are thought to be about ten core areas and there have been no obvious recent changes in range. The main foodplant in Scotland is Purple Moor-grass (Molinia caerulea). In England, it is mostly associated with Wood Small-reed (Calmagrostis epigejos) and False-brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum), though a range of grasses may be used as they are in continental Europe.
Chequered Skippers are found in Great Britain and other European regions, but seen locally in Japan and in North America. In the 1970s, the Chequered Skipper went extinct in England due to the new management of the woodlands. The uppersides are dark brown with golden-orange markings at the base of the wings and golden spots, giving it its English name of Chequered Skipper. The basic pattern on the underside is similar but the forewings are orange with dark spots, and the hindwings are russet with cream spots rimmed in black. The sexes are similar although females are generally slightly larger, the wing span is typically 29 to 31 mm. The Butterflies can be seen before dawn and even after dusk.
In North America the Chequered Skipper is also known as the Arctic Skipper and is found in the northern coasts and expands to central Alaska. The species can also be seen in central California and has been seen along the coasts of Canada. It is generally considered a woodland Butterfly and breeds in and around damp woodland, favoring clearings and woodland paths and seems to have a particular attraction to blue woodland flowers - but will feed on most available nectar rich wild flowers.
Though the Chequered Skipper is primarily a woodland Butterfly it can also be found in bogs, at the edges of streams, and at grassy forest openings in both Great Britain and northern parts of the United States. Chequered Skippers also breed in open grasslands in Scotland. In woodland areas the breeding sites happen at the edges of rivers and the bottom of slopes. Though there is a small range in the areas the Butterfly can live in, these areas tend to have a smaller range in seasonal and temperature range.The presence of the Molinia caerulea is really important in determining habitat in Scotland and in England the Bromus is essential. In North America, Chequered Skippers can be found around forest trails, forest edges, and open grassy areas. Even though the species also goes by the name of Arctic Skipper it does not live in Arctic areas. Seeing that the Chequered Skipper is an active Butterfly and can travel long distances it needs to keep its energy stores filled. Since the Butterfly lives an active lifestyle it needs to stay in nectar-rich sources.
The life cycle starts in early June and ends slightly before the July of the following year. This species of Butterfly is single brooded. Immediately after the egg hatches the larva begins to make its own shelter by rolling a leaf blade with silk into the shape of a tube. It leaves the shelter to eat surrounding leaves. The caterpillar molts five times before it is ready to pupate. In between the molting the caterpillar makes a new shelter to accommodate for its growing size. This process is from July to September. By the end of September the caterpillar makes one more shelter using two or three blades of Molinia caerulea and then hibernates; it comes back out in early spring. The caterpillar is no longer eating by April and begins to pupate, but before it pupates it can wait up to a week. Pupation occurs on the ground by the bases of tussocks. An adult Butterfly emerges from the pupa around the middle of May. The females and the males mate, then the females lay the eggs and starts a new brood life cycle for the following year.
Conservation of this Butterfly is being called for because although there once was an abundance of Chequered Skippers throughout the United Kingdom, over time the population greatly decreased. One important factor that played into this outcome is the overgrazing of the larval habitat by sheep which decreased the nutrients in the larval food plants, thus causing the larvae to have a hard time gathering the resources it needs in order to survive. also the hunting of Deer decreased the amount of grazing that was usually available, which caused shrub to form and that in turn resulted in adult habitats - and the Butterflies suffering.
I have been lucky enough to see a few of these very pretty little Butterflies at the woodland locations where they are being reintroduced into England. They were very tricky to locate but once one was seen it was easier to spot more. They are very fast flyers and "skip" across the habitat staying fairly low, stopping to roost on the vegetation and nectaring on wild flowers. I would love to go back sometime and see if I can locate and photograph any more!
Acknowledgements:
Featured Photo by Butterfly Whisperer UK
(the Butterfly branch of Utopia Photography)
aka The Butterfly Lady.
Disclaimer: This feature was written from a combination of my own words plus some information borrowed from various other sources.
