Kos Skipper

[Stevieb]

Skipper from Kos last year. I initially identified it as Mallow but confirmation (or otherwise) would be appreciated.

24th June

[David M]

The underside doesn't look right for Mallow Skipper - it's more in keeping with Silver Spotted Skipper, but unless the light is playing major tricks, then the uppersides are clearly not the latter.

Have you any other images of this insect, Stevie?

[petesmith]

Tricky to be sure, given the degree of wear, and the light.

Have you considered Carcharodus stauderi?

What time of year was this?

[Stevieb]

Tricky to be sure, given the degree of wear, and the light.

Have you considered Carcharodus stauderi?

What time of year was this?

That's a good shout Pete. It was taken on 24th June last year.
Just read that distribution is on a few Greek islands near the Turkish mainland.(Can't get much closer than Kos to the Turkish mainland )

The underside doesn't look right for Mallow Skipper - it's more in keeping with Silver Spotted Skipper, but unless the light is playing major tricks, then the uppersides are clearly not the latter.

Have you any other images of this insect, Stevie?

Not the best David I'm afraid

[Stevieb]

Not sure if this is the same species? (I think it is )Taken at the same time.

[John Vergo]

Hi Stevie
Yes it is a little bit tricky, do to the degree of wear, but with the new photo, I would say that it looks like a Carcharodus orientalis (Oriental Marbled Skipper)
john V

[Stevieb]

Many thanks John. Also Pete and David.

[petesmith]

Hi Stevie
Yes it is a little bit tricky, do to the degree of wear, but with the new photo, I would say that it looks like a Carcharodus orientalis (Oriental Marbled Skipper)
john V

Having seen the additional photo's, I agree with John - Carcharodus orientalis. That would have been my other suggestion!

[David M]

Glad to see those further images, Stevie, plus the helpful pointer regarding the time of year it was seen.

[Padfield]

I think this is very tricky. I can certainly believe orientalis: the 'feel' of the upperside and the lack of russet highlights points that way. But equally, I can't see anything definitive to exclude alceae. The features I would instinctively notice are obscured on both these insects, by wear (on the upperside) and the angle (on the underside).

Guy

[NickHull]

Yes, Guy, can see aleae on upperside, though row of 3 light dots/marks towards tip of wing could be both; on that alone I would go slighlty alceae
Bloody Skippers