The Small Skipper, along with the Essex Skipper, is a butterfly only recently introduced to Ireland. Both have appeared in Co, Kildare in the past decade; likely due to their larval stages being present in hay imports from the UK, where it is a common summer species in grassy areas. It has an orange patch on the underside of the antenna tip, whereas the Essex Skipper has a black tip. The dark sex brand on the upperside of the male is also longer and more heavily angled away from the body than that of the Essex Skipper. In the Pyrenees I observed dozens roosting among grass stems in dull overcast weather.

Distribution: In Ireland it is found only in Kildare. Elsewhere in Europe it is widespread although absent from Scotland, Fennoscandia and some Mediterranean islands. Scarce in some Mediterranean areas.

Flight Period: May-August in 1 brood, peaking in July.

Habitat: A variety of grassy areas such as meadows, field margins, woodland edges etc at a wide variety of altitudes.

Foodplants: Grasses, primarily Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus).

Nectar Sources: Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), brambles (Rubus), Betony (Betonica officinalis), Marjoram (Origanum majorana), mints (Mentha), thistles (Cirsium), scabiouses (Knautia) and knapweeds (Centaurea).

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