Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris
Habitat
The Small Skipper is a common and widespread species found in rough grassland and woodland edges, requiring an abundance of tall grasses and wild flowers. It prefers more open sites than the Large Skipper.
Identification
It has unmarked golden-orange wings, although the forewing of the male carries a distinctive dark line or sex brand. It can be easily confused with the Essex Skipper, but the underside of the tips of its antennae are orange whilst they are black in the Essex Skipper.
Flight times
It appears in early June and flies until the beginning of September.
Food plants
Eggs are laid in the sheaths of Yorkshire-fog or Creeping Soft-grass.
Small Skipper Distribution Map 2006
| Recorded squares: | 147 in 2006 188 in 2005 |
|---|---|
| Earliest record: | 6 June 2006 Paul Townsend Whittington, Derbys |
| Highest count: | 100 12 July 2006 Jane Broomhead Sherwood Heath & Rotary Wood, Notts |
| Latest record: | 24 August 2006 Bill Smyllie Coombs Dale, Derbys |
Small Skipper Distribution Map 2007
| Recorded squares: | 100 in 2007 275 in 2006 |
|---|---|
| Earliest record: | 11 June Ralph Johnson Brownshill Quarry, Leics |
| Highest count: | 60 19 July Martyn Anderson Annesley Quarry, Notts |
| Latest record: | 27 August George Cox Longstone Edge, Derbys |
Small Skipper Distribution Map 2008
| Recorded squares: | 103 in 2008 100 in 2007 |
|---|---|
| Earliest record: | 8 June David Hunter; Danes Hill Lakes |
| Highest count: | 37 24 July Ron & Barbara Overton Sherwood Heath |
| Latest record: | 30 August Paul Townsend Shirebrook Tip |
Photos
Small Skipper - Female - © Christine Maughan
Small Skipper - Male - © Christine Maughan