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Hi

Grateful for any thoughts on identification of the following, all taken yesterday in a small area of the Sierra Teveda, Andalucia, Spain.

I think the first is Sage Skipper, but I'm also considering Oberthur's Grizzled.

The second may be Marbled or Southern Marbled Skipper - is it possible to tell from upperside only?

I belive the third may be Escher's Blue. The fourth is of the same insect, but with a Lang's Short-tailed Blue in the foreground, providing a useful size comparison.

All expert, or non-expert, opinions, welcome.

Regards, Rupert

Sage, Southern Marbled, Escher's, Lang's.

Roger

Roger Gibbons wrote:Sage, Southern Marbled, Escher's, Lang's.

Roger

Amazing.

I wasn't sure about any of them to be honest.

Astonishing expertise, Roger, I'm consumed with admiration. I thought Sage and possibly Escher's due to the strong underwing markings, but to be so sure.... Brilliant .

Tony M.

Of the four, Escher's was the only correct ID that sprung into my mind, and even then it was a tentative.

Roger is unbelievable with pyrgus. He even trumps Guy Padfield (which isn't something you can often post on this site).

Thanks for all responses, particularly to Roger for the identifications. I'm please that the Sage and Escher's confirmed my own thoughts.

On the subject of Marbled v Southern Marbled Skipper, what is it that determines the difference between the two? As it happens, I was in the Sierra Loja yesterday in an (unsuccessful) quest for Eagle Owl, but I happened to capture the attached photo in passing. Like the others, it was taken in blinding sunshine at some distance with a 300mm lens, so not much chance of getting a close look at the insect itself, but I'm guessing Marbled or Southern Marbled.

I'd be very grateful for Roger, or others, to take a look and give their opinion, perhaps with an explanation if a confident identification can be given.

Cheers, Rupert

That looks like a female Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alceae) to me, but without a clear view of either surface, it's a best guess.
See if Guy agrees.

Your original Southern Marbled (C. baeticus) was on its larval hostplant Marrubium vulgare (or so it appears to me) which is usually a good indicator of baeticus, as it tends to be a sepcies "tied" to its hostplant. It is a species that is reputedly common in Spain but rather rare and localised in France.

I've put what I believe to be the defining characteristics on my baeticus page, so can I refer you to that rather than clog up UKB pages repeating it.

Roger

I'm pretty confident that last one is a mallow skipper, though it would obviously be nice to have a closer view. I don't think I would have hesitated if a very probable southern marbled hadn't been shown first.

Guy