Ireland’s only native skipper, this butterfly has a rather moth-like appearance, partly due to its relatively drab appearance and fast flight. For this reason is is readily identified and the only similar species in Europe is the Inky Skipper,  which is much darker and restricted to the southern Balkans. It is a sun-loving species which will often bask on stony paths and on surfaces which reflect heat. In Ireland it is fairly scarce, but can be common in some coastal areas, as well as elsewhere throughout Europe. The subspecies baynesi which is more heavily-marked and greyer occurs in some parts of western Ireland.

Distribution: Most of Europe, but absent from southern Portugal, some Mediterranean islands and parts of north-east Europe. Scarcer in the Mediterranean region.

Flight Period: Flies single-brooded from late April-June in Ireland; April-August in southern Europe where it is double-brooded.

Habitat: Coastal dunes, woodland edges, heathland margins and meadows up to 2000m.

Foodplants: Primarily Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), also Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa), Crown Vetch (Securigera varia), Medick (Medicago) and occasionally Eryngium.

Nectar Sources: Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Bugle (Ajuga reptans), violets (Viola), buttercups (Ranunculaceae), hawkweeds (Hieracium), dandelions (Taraxacum).

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