This species is very similar to the Small Skipper. The easiest way of distinguishing between the two is to look at the underside colour of the antennae tip, which is black on the Essex Skipper and orange on the Small Skipper. The dark sex brand on the upperside of the male forewings are also different. This species appeared in Ireland in 2006, in Wexford and Kildare where it is thought to have originated from imported hay. It is one of the commonest skippers in Europe, appearing in grassy habitats of all kinds where it often rests on grass heads or takes nectar.
Distribution: Most of Europe although absent from much of Britain and Ireland, some Mediterranean islands and northern Fennoscandia.
Flight Period: May-August in 1 or 2 broods.
Habitat: Grassy areas, meadows, woodland margins, hedgerows etc at a wide range of altitudes.
Foodplants: Grasses, such as Cock’s-foot (Dactylis glomerata) and Timothy (Pleum pratense) .
Nectar Sources: Thistles (Cirsium), brambles (Rubus), clovers (Trifolium), Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris), scabiouses (Knautia) and others. Occasionally mudpuddles at altitude.
-
- Essex Skipper, Palas de Rei, Spain, June 2017
-
- Essex Skipper, Gavarnie, France, July 2019
-
- Timothy Grass, Phleum pratense, possibly one of the grasses used by the larvae.
