Gallery - Skippers

Skippers (Hesperiidae)

The skippers are mostly small species with a broad head and body, and only make short, swift, darting flights. The club of the antenna is usually rather pointed and curved, all six legs are well developed. Many are sombrely coloured above and the underside provides the best guide to identity.Femals differ little from the males in colour pattern, but the males of several species have a dark scent brand on thefront wing. They rest either with the wings folded together above the back or held in a tent-like fashion.

Large Skipper (Ochlodes venatus)

This butterfly is common throughout most of Europe. It is usually found on grassy hillsides and also around forest edges and roadsides up to about 2000m,

Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)

This is one of the most abundant of the Skippers. it prefers open grassland and meadows up to around 2000m

Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)

Very close to Small Skipper, main difference is the colour of Antenna which is Black, on a Small its Orange.

Lulworth Skipper (Thymelicus acteon)

Found in Europe but in the UK found mainly in Dorset. It prefers grassy meadows and hillsides up to 2000m

Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages)

This moth like butterfly is common throughout most of europe with the exception of the far north. it prefers sunny banks and hillsides up to around 2000m

Grizzled Skipper (Pygus malvae)

This little butterfly is found everywhere except Ireland, Scotland and northan Scandinavia. It likes grassland and open spaces damp or dry up to 2000m.

Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma)

This butterfly, though widespread throughout most of Europe is confined to areas with chalky soils, where it prefers grassy meadows.

Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)

The Chequered Skipper is one of the most attractive of the English Skippers.

© Simon Thurgood 2024
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