Presumably when flocciferus was given its English name, confusion with the Marbled Skipper (C. lavatherae) was a key consideration, although these two species are very different. Lavatherae is quite light with extensive white marks on the uph, especially in the discal series, but also a series of slightly sagittate white submarginal marks. Lavatherae appears very light, almost white, in flight. Flocciferus is darker, larger, but has a clear white uph discal mark, and other minor marks in this region. Flocciferus can be very dark, almost black, especially when fresh. The underside is also easy to identify, as the prominent white marginal markings are impossible to confuse with any other Carcharodus species in France.

Flocciferus is perhaps more easily confused with the Mallow Skipper (C. alceae) as it is essentially similar in terms of the basic pattern of the upperside markings. Alceae is generally smaller than flocciferus and does not have the white uph discal marks, although it can rarely have a quite pale uph discal mark.

Flocciferus may also be confused with the Southern Marbled Skipper (C. baeticus), although baeticus is smaller and has more extensive uph discal white marks.

I would say that flocciferus, for a reputedly uncommon butterfly, is encountered more frequently, especially at medium-high altitudes, than I would have expected from reading the textbooks. Lavatherae is widespread but not particularly common in Var.

The best way to differentiate between the sexes for both species is by size (females are always larger), body shape and the hair tuft at the end of the abdomen which indicates male. Nearly all sightings are of males; the only times I have seen females is when they are in copula.

This species was previously known as Carcharodus flocciferus but in the new European taxonomy, this species now has the scientific name Carcharodus floccifera. It is sometimes referred to as floccifer.

ref

sex

observations

alt. m

12379

M

a rather dark grey male, with nice contrast for the white markings.

1120

16828

M

a dark-ish male, not quite as dark as 12379 though. It looks as though a predator has taken a bite out of the upf wing-tip.

900

12616

M

from the same location as 12379, but much more typically coloured, although a rather warm brown.

1120

24791

M

280

12742

M

a rare sight of the underside. Very little contrast to the markings, and rather lighter than the illustration in T&L.

1120

22829

M

a male underside, almost an exact match for T&L and clearly showing the diagnostic unh marginal white streaks.

1120