Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola

Male. The thin dark line in centre of forewing distinguishes sexes
Male. The thin dark line in centre of forewing distinguishes sexes
Female. (No dark line in centre of forewing).
Female. (No dark line in centre of forewing).
The same male as above. The black-coloured forward-pointing face to antennae can only be seen from head on.
The same male as above. The black-coloured forward-pointing face to antennae can only be seen from head on.
The same female as above.  The black-coloured forward-pointing face to antennae can only be seen from head on.
The same female as above. The black-coloured forward-pointing face to antennae can only be seen from head on.
Essex Skipper has black-coloured forward-pointing face to antennae when viewed head on.
Essex Skipper has black-coloured forward-pointing face to antennae when viewed head on.
Small Skipper has rufous-coloured forward-pointing face to antennae when viewed head on.
Small Skipper has rufous-coloured forward-pointing face to antennae when viewed head on.
The black-coloured forward-pointing face of an Essex Skipper antennae (when viewed head on).
The black-coloured forward-pointing face of an Essex Skipper antennae (when viewed head on).
The rufous-coloured forward-pointing face of a Small Skipper antennae (when viewed head on).
The rufous-coloured forward-pointing face of a Small Skipper antennae (when viewed head on).
 
Information

Red List status: Least Concern
NERC Act S41: Not listed
Local status: Locally common, though may be in decline.
Found in colonies all over county in suitable habitat.
Easily confused with Small Skipper. (See above).
Size: Small.
Larval foodplant: Cock's-foot preferred, but other grasses used too
No. of broods: One
Flight time(s): Late June to mid August.
Average first date: 24th June
Average last date: 15th August
Winter: Egg. Doesn't hatch until spring.
Habits: Males perch or patrol for females.
Females are more secretive.
Both sexes feed on wide range of nectar sources.
Perches with forewings half-closed.
Flies as a high-speed orange blur.
Habitats: Unimproved grassland,
woodland rides,
brown-field sites,
road verges,
field margins
Distribution: