Skippers

Family: HESPERIIDAE

A group of tiny moth like butterflies of which we have three species all breeding on site with us. Although drab when compared to the larger, more flamboyant butterflies, they are absolutely delightful and fun to watch, especially the males.

LARGE SKIPPER Ochlodes venata

The male (below) is distinguished by the heavy diagonal black bars across the forewings - these release pheromones to attract the females during courtship.

Males are a joy to watch as they perch atop a favourite vantage point, such as a tall flower, and lurch at anything that passes through their territory, at an amazing speed which is very difficult to keep your eyes on. They always return to the same spot.

CURRENT STATUS Breeds on site - colony growing stronger. LARVAL FOODPLANT Cock's-foot and other grasses. FAVOURED NECTAR PLANTS Marjoram, bird's-foot trefoil; purple loosestrife; red valerian; lavender; ragged Robin; rose campion. WHEN SEEN mid June to late July. SPECIALIST REQUIREMENTS isolated clumps of tall grasses are best for egg-laying and for the larvae to feed, develop, and hibernate in.

SMALL SKIPPER Thymelicus sylvestris

What is generally considered to be the most common Skipper in Britain is very scarce in our vicinity and is totally outnumbered by the extremely similar Essex Skipper. I was quite surprised to realise this fact, which can only be justified by careful examination of the antennae from below! A major feat in itself! The tips of the Essex's antennae are jet black, as if they have been dipped in ink. (See Essex Skipper for a comparison photo).

CURRENT STATUS uncommon - totally outnumbered by the closely related Essex Skipper. LARVAL FOODPLANT Yorkshire fog grass. FAVOURED NECTAR PLANTS Marjoram; scabious; thistles; knapweed; buddleia. WHEN SEEN July and August. SPECIALIST REQUIREMENTS Clumps of dead grass stems must not be cut back and tidied over winter, as the eggs are laid in the sheath of the stems, and the undeveloped larvae stay within the sheath until the spring. See photos below.

The female alights on the flowerhead of the Yorkshire fog and then crawls backwards down the grass until she feels the sheath with her abdomen, thence laying six or so eggs in the sheath.

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The sheath where the eggs are concealed.

ESSEX SKIPPER Thymelicus lineola

Not the best of photos admittedly, but you can see that the underside of the antennae have very defined black tips to them - lacking in the Small. It's even clearer in real life (the difficult bit is getting close without disturbing them!) The one below this is an Essex - compare with the Small Skipper photo. See how similar the two are?

CURRENT STATUS Our most common Skipper. Breeds on site, population growing. LARVAL FOODPLANT Timothy grass. FAVOURED NECTAR PLANTS Scabious; lavender; clover; knapweed; creeping thistle; marjoram; Verbena bonariensis. WHEN SEEN late June and july - flying slightly before the Small. SPECIALIST REQUIREMENTS grass management and egg-laying procedure as for Small Skipper.