The Cinquefoil Skipper (Pyrgus cirsii) was previously assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as endemic to Europe, however, it is now known that the global range of this species extends to the Asian part of Türkiye and to the Caucasus. Although this species has undergone declines in range and population in Europe in the past, it is assessed as Least Concern as it has been evaluated against all the IUCN criteria and the scale of the declines does not meet any category of threat.

This species occurs in northern and eastern Spain (with a few subpopulations in the south), southern and eastern France, Switzerland (Vaud, Valais and the Jura), southern Germany (where it is rare), northwestern Italy (where it is also rare) and extends eastwards to the Asian part of Türkiye (not mapped) and to the Caucasus (not mapped) (Georgia and Armenia; Butterfly Conservation Armenia). It is found at altitudes between 200 and 1,900 m. The area of occupancy and extent of occurrence greatly exceed the threshold for a threatened category.

Although widespread in parts of Europe, this species is local and restricted to (semi-) natural habitats. Declines in distribution or population have been reported in several countries and it is reported extinct in Slovenia. It is classed as Regionally Extinct in Austria, and as Critically Endangered in Germany and Switzerland (Maes et al. 2019).

The Cinquefoil Skipper occurs in warm, flower-rich grasslands, preferring those in sheltered locations, such as on slopes or near shrubs or woodland. In the northern part of its range, it is only found in very warm places. Habitats include dry calcareous grasslands and steppes (20%), dry siliceous grasslands (20%), alpine and subalpine grasslands (20%), mesophile grasslands (20%), inland sand-dunes (10%), fallow land, waste places (10%) (van Swaay et al. 2006).

The female lays its eggs singly on the underside of the leaves of various cinquefoils (Potentilla spp.), choosing the smaller plants. This butterfly hibernates as a very tiny caterpillar in the egg, in which it remains until the spring. It then emerges and spins a small shelter from leaves. In the last larval instar, this is replaced by a parchment-like shelter. It pupates in a cocoon. It has one generation a year.

This species is not believed to face major threats. However, in some parts of Europe the Cinquefoil Skipper remains threatened by a lack of suitable grassland habitat management (due to both agricultural intensification and abandonment).

All butterflies are collected to some extent, but only for the extremely rare species can this be a problem, and the trade in Europe is generally at a low level compared to other continents. There is no specific trade information for this species.

This species occurs in a number of protected areas across its range.

In countries where the species is declining, important habitats should be protected and managed to prevent overgrazing and/or scrub and tree invasion by maintaining or restoring traditional low intensity agricultural grazing practices. The effects of conservation actions should be monitored by a Butterfly Monitoring Scheme.

It is recommended that future research should focus on population trends and identifying threats.