English name:
Oriental Marbled Skipper
Full scientific name:
Muschampia orientalis (Reverdin, 1913)
Synonym:
Carcharodus orientalis (Reverdin, 1913)
Croatian name:
Istočni debeloglavac
Flight Period and Life Cycle
2 broods per year. Caterpillar hibernates during winter time.
Distribution in Croatia
Common in the coastal area of south Croatia. Missing in the north coastal area. Check the included map.
External Morphology Characteristics
On the underside of the hindwing there are white spots. They are more blurred and less defined than those of Muschampia floccifera. The overall look of Muschampia orientalis is a bit more bright. In males of both species, there is a hair tuft on the underside of forewing.
Behavior
Flighting close to the ground. Imago feeds with the nectar of various flowers.
Caterpillar Host Plants
The mallows (family Malvaceae) and mints (family Lamiaceae).
Habitat
It prefers hot hill & mountain flower meadows. Common along the edges of forests and bushes. Elevations: 0-1400m.