 |
 |
 |
|
| UK Status |
|
|
|
| Resident |
A species which is continually Resident in the UK with stable breeding populations. |
|
|
| Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Migrant in the UK. It may be able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Migrants are normally reported in the UK every year. |
|
|
| Rare Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Rare Migrant in the UK. It may able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Rare Migrants may not be seen for many years. |
|
|
| Extinct |
A species which is Extinct in the UK, usually as a result of habitat loss. |
|
|
| Introduction |
A species which ocurs in the UK as an accidental introduction. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Description
The Essex Skipper and Small Skipper are almost identical in appearance which often makes identification in the field extremely difficult even for the experienced lepidopterist as they are often found living in the same habitats and on the wing at similar times. This similarity explains why it was not until 1888 that the Essex Skipper was recognised as a separate species.
 One key difference between the Essex Skipper and the Small Skipper is that the Essex Skipper has a distinctive glossy black tip to its antennae while the Small Skipper has dull brown/orange tips. Small Skippers are also slightly more orange in appearance while the Essex Skipper tends to be more of a dull brown/tan colour.
The adult butterflies spend much of their time basking or resting on grass stems in typical 'golden skipper' style and can be seen from early June until late August although numbers have decreased dramatically by mid August.
The eggs of the Essex Skipper do not hatch until the following spring although the larvae are fully formed within the egg shell. They feed within a shelter constructed by spinning the edges of grass blades together with fine silk threads to make a narrow feeding tube which also protects the caterpillar from predators. They will however emerge and feed in the open at night and as they become larger tend to spend more time feeding in the open... even during the day. The caterpillar is green in colour with a pale yellow line running along the length of each side of its body and a dark line along its back. The head is brown.
Pupation takes place during early summer at the base of the larval food plant within a silken cocoon spun between grass blades. The pupae are pale green in colour. The adult Essex Skipper butterflies tend to emerge about three weeks after pupation with peak numbers seen during July. By September very few adults are on the wing.
Habitat
The Essex Skipper is found in tall dry grasslands in open sunny locations. It is commonly found on disused railways and roadside verges where the larval foodplant grows.
Larval Food Plants
Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) is the primary laval foodplant of the Essex Skipper. It rarely uses Yorkshire-fog (Holcus lanatus). |
|
|
| Stock Photography Library |
| We have 13 photographs of the Essex Skipper in the British Butterflies photo library |
|
BB1811 - Essex Skipper
DSC_6443.JPG
|
 |
|
BB1810 - Essex Skipper
DSC_6437.JPG
|
|
|
BB1809 - Essex Skipper
DSC_6431.JPG
|
|
|
BB1808 - Essex Skipper
DSC_6429.JPG
|
|
|
BB1807 - Essex Skipper
DSC_6422.JPG
|
|
|
BB1806 - Essex Skipper
DSC_6412.JPG
|
|
|
BB1805 - Essex Skipper
DSC_6404.JPG
|
|
|
BB1804 - Essex Skipper
DSC_6400.JPG
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution |
|
 |
| The Essex Skipper can be found throughout South-East England as far west as Somerset/Dorset and as far north as South Lincolnshire and the Midlands. Its range has extended dramatically over the last 10 years. |
|
 |
|
| Where to see the Essex Skipper |
| - |
|
| Population Trends |
| species status |
the Essex Skipper is a resident species in Britain |
| population trend1 |
(1995-2004)  insuficient data |
(1976-2004) insuficient data |
|
|
1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M.
(2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
| UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Status |
| UK BAP status2 |
not listed (link) |
|
|
| 2 For more information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species status, visit www.ukbap.org.uk. |
| IUCN Category Status |
| IUCN category3 |
 least concern4 |
|
|
3 Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4 More information about IUCN categories available here. |
| Find Out More Online* |
| More information about the Essex Skipper can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site. |
|
|
|
|
Aberrations and Forms |
|
|
| We currently know of 5 named aberrant forms of the Essex Skipper. More information about aberrants can be found here. |
 ab. brunnea - Tutt (1906) |
|
| ab. clara - Tutt (1906) |
|
| ab. fulva - Lempke (1953) |
|
| ab. sinelinea - Lempke (1953) |
|
| ab. suffusa - Tutt (1906) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| References |
| The information on this web site comes from a variety of freely available resources including books, academic reports and web sites alongside my own personal observations of butterflies. The species descriptions are currently in the process of being edited (spring 2009) to include new data, recent personal observations and referencing following a major update to the site.
A complete list of references mentioned in the text on this web site is available here. |
| * External Links Disclaimer |
| This web site includes links to information provided by external web sites which are not in any way under the control of www.britishbutterflies.co.uk. We cannot, therefore, be held responsible for the content of external web pages. |
|
|
|
|
26-30mm
