Skippers in Sussex

 These dashing little butterflies of the Hesperiidae family can prove a challenge to follow in flight and to get a good enough view to make a positive identification. However, with practice, you can soon learn the salient points required to separate some of the trickier species.

Of the eight species of this family to occur in Britain, six are to be found in Sussex.

Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) 

This skipper is common and widespread in Sussex, occurring in a wide range of habitats.

(male)

(female)

(mating)

Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma)

This species is restricted to a downland habitat, where it is reliant on warm and short chalkland sward.

(male)

(females)

(mating)

Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)

Common and widespread in Sussex, sylvestris can be found in many suitable meadows and grassy tracksides.

(male)

(females)

(mating)

Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)

As with the previous species, this is widespread and common in Sussex. You have to learn the subtle differences between lineola and sylvestris in order to separate them. The easiest feature to observe is the colour of the underside of the antennae tips (black in lineola and orange in sylvestris)

(male)

(females)

Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages)

This is a widespread species in Sussex, if somewhat localised. It can be found in a variety of habitats.

(male)

(female)

(mating)

(characteristic moth-like posture when roosting)

Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae)

As with the previous species, malvae is widespread across a variety of habitats in Sussex.

(males)

(female)

(mating)

The following two species of Skipper do not occur in Sussex and have no historical connection with the county. 

I include them here in order to complete the British species.

Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)

This species became extinct in England during the 1970's but has been re-introduced to its former stronghold in the midlands in recent years.

The following images were taken in 2013 and 2015 in Scotland.

(male)

(female)

(mating)

Lulworth Skipper (Thymelicus acteon)

This skipper only occurs along the clifftops of Dorset where it can often be found in great abundance.

(male)

(female)