Hesperia comma
This heat-loving butterfly has had a dramatic change of fortunes since the 1970s when there were very real concerns that it might be lost as a UK species. In Sussex it “was restricted to just the downland slopes of Wilmington and Bible Bottom near Lewes”. In 2024 it can be found all along the South Downs from Eastbourne in the eastern vice-county to Chantry Hill in the western vice-county, with a reasonable expectation that it may soon re-colonise the remaining hills and valleys between Chantry Hill and the Arun Valley.
Quoting Neil Hulme in “The Butterflies of Sussex”, there is “compelling evidence that the resurgence of this species can be attributed to climate warming. Higher average temperatures have resulted in a demonstrable, wider tolerance of habitat conditions, allowing the Silver-spotted Skipper to breed on multi-aspect slopes” . That is certainly the case at Chantry Hill where this skipper may be found on south-facing, east-facing and north-facing slopes (and occasionally west-facing slopes, as well).
Somewhere in Sussex, there is likely to be an early record in mid-July, but it is largely an August species and peak numbers are usually recorded in the first half of August, with a few stragglers seen into early September.
It is a fussy insect for it is reluctant to fly unless the air temperature is at least 20 degrees centigrade and in late summer/early autumn that baseline temperature cannot always be guaranteed, as our British weather is so unpredictable.
Malling Down TQ431113 to TQ429107, High and Over TQ511014 to TQ504013, Newtimber Hill TQ268118 to TQ269126, Cissbury Hill TQ136077 and Chantry Hill TQ0812.
Silver-spotted Skipper nectaring on Small Scabious – photo by Bob Eade
Male uppersides – photo by Bob Eade
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Female uppersides – photo by Bob Eade
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Nectaring on Greater Knapweed – photo by Dave Brown
Female uppersides – photo by Dave Brown
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A mating pair – photo by Bob Eade
Butterfly Conservation Silver-spotted Skipper
