Description
bright orange-brown wings held with forewings angled above hind wings. males have a thin black line through the centre of fore-wing. essex skipper is similar but has black tips to the antenna (best-viewed head-on) and shorter scent brand which runs parallel to forewing edge rather than angled. small skippers are insects of high summer. although they spend much of their time basking or resting among vegetation, they are marvellous flyers, manoeuvring expertly through tall grass stems. it is these darting flights, wings glinting golden-brown in the sunlight, that normally alert an observer to their presence. closer examination will reveal many more individuals nectaring or basking with their wings held in the half-open posture distinctive of skipper butterflies. the butterfly is widespread in southern britain and its range has expanded northwards in recent years.
Habitat
Prefers open places with long grass, such as unimproved rough grassland, downs, road verges, field edges and woodland glades.
Countries
Countries: England, Scotland and Wales
Wing span range
0mm
