ID for Skippers please

[Chris Jackson]

Hello,
Yesterday I spotted some skippers in the South of France on the Mountain of Sainte Baume at approx. 840 m altitude.
Could I have an opinion as to the identity of them please.
The Pyrgus photos were taken in the following order and in the space of 6 minutes, in approximately the same place, so some of them could be the same individual.
Pyrgus 1

Pyrgus 2

Pyrgus 3

Pyrgus 4a

Pyrgus 4b

Orange skipper

Thanks, Chris

[David M]

I'd only be speculating on the pyrgus, Chris, but your last specimen is Silver Spotted Skipper.

[CFB]

Chris, David,

I saw my first Silver-spotted Skipper of the year yesterday as well . And more today.
--
Colin

[Chris Jackson]

Thanks for the Silver-spotted Skipper, David - thats a new one for me then (they don't exist in Vitrolles or Marseilles).
I just need to go back and get some better photos now .
When I get a spare 5 minutes, I go through my reference books for the Pyrgus. It is getting 5 spare minutes that is the difficult bit !

Hi Colin,
Yes, I've seen your diary. And yours is a much better photo I'll say as well
Also liked your Meadow Brown uppersides.

Cheers, Chris

[Roger Gibbons]

I think you have Foulquier's Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus bellieri) there, Chris. A male, I suspect.

The heavy markings and jagged edges are trademark bellieri but this is a species of which I have limited experience.

It flies at Ste Baume and I'm fairly certain I have seen it there.

See what Guy thinks if the picks up this thread.

Check out Mattt Rowlings' images:
http://www.eurobutterflies.com/sp/foulquieri.php

Roger

[Padfield]

That was also my reaction (bellieri) but I thought I'd wait for Roger to step in first, as he's from the region and has made a special study of Pyrgus. I wouldn't want to get you all excited and then have Roger point out it's something much more usual!

Guy

[Chris Jackson]

Thank you Roger and Guy,
How lucky of me to stumble upon Foulquier's Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus bellieri).
I seem to be racking them up this year .
Chris