Great British Lepidoptera

Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)

The name of the Small Skipper was poorly chosen for there are no less than four other skipper butterflies present in Great Britain are actually smaller than this particular species. Living for approximately 20 days, in July and August, Small Skippers will be seen flitting from flower to flower in grassy meadows with their almost identical relatives, the Essex Skipper. The two species of butterfly are extremely similar in both appearance and size and for some, the differences are too small to distinguish, except for the antennae. The slightly bigger, Large Skipper can also be found in the same meadow but these are bulkier and darker than the other two species.

Small Skippers have a preference for long grassy conditions with an abundance of wild nectar sources. Nectar sources such as Scabious, Dandelions, Fleabane, Thistles and Knapweeds are particularly favoured.

The species also uses the tall grasses and flowers within its range as vantage points (left) from which to keep guard against tresspassing insects that wander into their territory.

It is this characteristic Skipper behaviour that leads to great difficulty when trying to keep track of the butterfly in flight. The majority of photographs are taken when they are resting, with hind-wings held slightly backwards and fore-wings partially upwards.

Female butterflies of this species have a preference for Yorkshire Fog when meticulously chosing a foodplant for its caterpillars but Soft Grass, Timothy and Wood False Brome are also used on which the larvae will feed upon hatching.