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| UK Status |
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| Resident |
A species which is continually Resident in the UK with stable breeding populations. |
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| Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Migrant in the UK. It may be able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Migrants are normally reported in the UK every year. |
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| Rare Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Rare Migrant in the UK. It may able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Rare Migrants may not be seen for many years. |
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| Extinct |
A species which is Extinct in the UK, usually as a result of habitat loss. |
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| Introduction |
A species which ocurs in the UK as an accidental introduction. |
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Description
The main population of Scotch Argus as its name suggests can be found in Scotland where it can be found in tall damp grassland. In sunny conditions the male butterflies will fly low among the grass in search of a female. In overcast conditions, they tend to perch on grass flying only to investigate any passing brown butterflies which may be females. The females are encountered flying less often, prefering to spend most of their time basking.
Habitat
The Scotch Argus can be found in damp acid or neutral grassland in Scotland. In northern England it is restricted to two sites that contain a mosaic of habitat consisting of sheltered limestone grassland which is lightly grazed or ungrazed scrub, and woodland.
Larval Food Plants
In Scotland is Purple Moor-grass (Molinia caerulea) is the primary larval foodplant. Populations in northern England use Blue Moor-grass (Sesleria caerulea).
British Subspecies
The following sub-species of the Scotch Argus occur in the UK.
 Scotch Argus - Erebia aethiops aethiops (Esper, 1777) - Occurs in England and north-west Scotland.
Scotch Argus - Erebia aethiops caledonia (Verity, 1911) - Occurs in southern and western Scotland only.
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| Distribution |
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The Scotch Argus is a common and widespread in Scotland but has suffered substantial declines in the southern part of its range. In England it is reduced to just two isolated colonies in Cumbria.
The Scotch Argus can be found in mountain areas throughout Europe (although its has declined recently in several European countries) from central France east to the Urals and western Siberia. It is not found in Scandinavia. |
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| Where to see the Scotch Argus |
The Scotch Argus is a common and widespread in Scotland but has suffered substantial declines in the southern part of its range. In England it is reduced to just two isolated colonies in Cumbria.
Key sites for the Silver-spotted Skipper include:
Cumbria: Arnside Knott Smardale Gill
Ayrshire: Changue
The Scotch Argus can be found in mountain areas throughout Europe (although its has declined recently in several European countries) from central France east to the Urals and western Siberia. It is not found in Scandinavia. |
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| Population Trends |
| species status |
the Scotch Argus is a resident species in Britain |
| population trend1 |
(1995-2004)  down by -1% |
(1976-2004)  up by 165% |
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1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M.
(2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
| UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Status |
| UK BAP status2 |
not listed (link) |
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| 2 For more information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species status, visit www.ukbap.org.uk. |
| IUCN Category Status |
| IUCN category3 |
 least concern4 |
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3 Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4 More information about IUCN categories available here. |
| Find Out More Online* |
| More information about the Scotch Argus can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site. |
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Aberrations and Forms |
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| We currently know of 6 named aberrant forms of the Scotch Argus. More information about aberrants can be found here. |
 ab. depupillata - Stein (1918) |
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| ab. flavescens - Tutt (1896) |
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| ab. freyeri - Oberthür (1911) |
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| ab. huebneri - Oberthür (1912) |
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| ab. infasciata - Warren (1936) |
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| ab. nigra - Mousley (1902) |
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| References |
| The information on this web site comes from a variety of freely available resources including books, academic reports and web sites alongside my own personal observations of butterflies. The species descriptions are currently in the process of being edited (spring 2009) to include new data, recent personal observations and referencing following a major update to the site.
A complete list of references mentioned in the text on this web site is available here. |
| * External Links Disclaimer |
| This web site includes links to information provided by external web sites which are not in any way under the control of www.britishbutterflies.co.uk. We cannot, therefore, be held responsible for the content of external web pages. |
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44-52mm
