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Butterfly Survey 1976-2020
Small Skipper
Small Skipper Thymelcius sylvestris
wingspan: 28mm
The only visual distinguishing feature between the Small Skipper and the Essex Skipper is the colouring on the underside of the antennae tips.
Habit: appears in June and July and flies very low among rough uncultivated grasses and briars with whirring (moth like) movement. Rests fairly frequently with both sets of wings set at different angles (as a flight on a dart). Can easily be confused with the Essex Skipper which is on the wing slightly later*.
Single brooded, dark bluish green larvae over-winters in half grown form in protective roll of grass blade.
Larval Foodplant: grasses
Status: resident throughout wherever grasses are allowed to grow in rough areas and not under threat, except from the usual urban expansion, leisure grazing, indiscriminate use of pesticides and inept management in parks and public spaces. Present in Shoreham, Eynsford, Ruxley, Bromley.
WH - White Hill Shoreham, BC - Bromley Common, Ha Hayes --BN Bromley North - Ey Eynsford - Orp Orpington - HE High Elms Lull Lullingstone