Species of the Month July 2021

Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola

 

The Essex Skipper is a fairly recent arrival from England; since 2000, the species has been making its way westwards through Wales, and is now probably very widespread in the SEWBReC area. However, it is likely overlooked on some sites due to its close resemblance to the commoner Small Skipper.

Both species are small orange coloured butterflies with plain wings and a darting flight. Like other skippers, both hold their forewings angled upwards when at rest. The Large Skipper is also similar, however that species has chequered wings.

Essex Skipper can be separated from Small Skipper by the entirely black antennal tips, often described as "ink dipped". Small Skipper have brown antennal tips with pale undersides. A comparison of the two is shown below.

You can find more images and information from the Butterfly Conservation Trust and UK Butterflies.

Essex Skipper is probably found on a lot of suitable sites throughout south east Wales, but we only hold 219 records at SEWBReC, and there are some significant gaps in recording coverage in our area, as shown by the Wales wide distribution on Aderyn.

If you spot Essex Skipper (or Small Skipper!) during July (or at any other time of year), please send us the record, ideally via SEWBReCORD or the LERC Wales App. Instructions on how to submit records are available here.