Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)
The Small Skipper is one of the most widespread and numerous butterflies in southern England. It has orange-brown wings, upper body and the tips of the antennae and a silvery white body. This butterfly is very similar in appearance to the Essex Skipper, which has black undersides of the antennae tips, compared to yellow-orange of the Small Skipper.
Habitat
Small Skippers occur where the grass is tall, and may occur on roadside verges, beside hedgerows and in woodland clearings.
Behaviour
Males are territorial, and can be found resting on suitable perches from which they intercept any passing butterfly. Males are the more active of the two sexes, with the females being more sedentary.
Feeding
Adults are nectar-loving, and are attracted to purple flowers such as thistles and Red Clover. The caterpillars’ favoured foodplant is Yorkshire Fog, though it feeds on other grasses such as False Brome, Meadow Foxtail and Cock’s-Foot.
Life cycle
Eggs are laid loosely inside grass sheathes of the caterpillars’ foodplants from July to August. Caterpillars emerge after 3 weeks, and then eat their own eggshell before entering hibernation over winter in a protective cocoon. Adults emerge in late June.