Sussex Branch

Butterfly Species in Sussex

Description

This 'golden skipper' is a species of rough, uncultivated grasslands, where Yorkshire-fog may be found. This grass species is its preferred larval foodplant and since it grows more-or-less everywhere in Sussex, it is unsurprising that this diminutive skipper is very widely distributed throughout the county. The meadow skippers can be difficult to separate, as they are all small golden-brown butterflies with a similar shape; a thick-set body, blunt head and short triangular wings. However, the male Small Skipper is distinctive, for it has a long, wiggly sex-brand that crosses the wing veins, and this is an ID feature that can be seen “naked eye”. Differentiating between Small and Essex Skipper is tricky but with good-quality photographs and with care and patience, it can be done!

Colonies may be tiny, with peak daily counts of less than ten, or they may number in the thousands. The first adults emerge in the second or third week of June, but peak counts are usually obtained in the second half of July. It is single brooded and individual colonies have a total flight period of about 10 weeks.

Where to find

Wherever there are patches of rough, uncultivated grasslands, but for large numbers try Chantry Hill at TQ0812, Fairmile Bottom LNR at SU988093, Friston Forest Gallops at TV553997, Heyshott Escarpment at SU899168 and Windover Hill from TQ532032 to TQ543033.

Image gallery

Male Small Skipper on Birdsfoot Trefoil – photo by Martin Kalaher

Female nectaring on Field Scabious

Side view of a territorial male

Inside the flowerhead of Greater Knapweed

Female perched on a flowerhead

A mating pair

×

1 / 6

2 / 6

3 / 6

4 / 6

5 / 6

6 / 6

❮ ❯

More information

Butterfly Conservation Small Skipper