
Small Skipper
A small butterfly with a low darting flight restricted to chalk downland in southern England. Upperwings orange with brown margins and pale orange spots. Males have a thick black line through the centre of the forewing. Underwings have silver spots.
This rare skipper is restricted to chalk downs in southern England where it can be seen darting low over short turf, stopping frequently to bask on bare ground or feed on flowers such as Dwarf Thistle. It can be distinguished by the numerous silver-white spots on the undersides of the hind wings, which can be seen quite easily when it rests with wings in a characteristic 'half-open' posture.
The Silver-spotted Skipper has declined rapidly over the last 50 years but has re-expanded partially since 1980.
Sheep’s-fescue (Festuca ovina) is the sole foodplant and the butterfly breeds only where this grows as small tufts in short or broken turf.
Unimproved open chalk grasslands with short, patchy swards. Prefers warm, south-facing slopes.
Silver-spotted Skipper (female/upperwing) - Bob Eade
Bob Eade
Silver-spotted Skipper (female/upperwing) - Peter Maton
Peter Maton
Silver-spotted Skipper (female/upperwing) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Silver-spotted Skipper (upperwing/males) - Patrick Clement
Patrick Clement
Silver-spotted Skipper (underwing) - Bob Eade
Bob Eade
Silver-spotted Skipper (underwing) - Bob Eade
Bob Eade
Silver-spotted Skipper (underwing) - Bob Eade
Bob Eade
Silver-spotted Skipper (underwing) - Bob Eade
Bob Eade
Silver-spotted Skipper (male & female) - Bob Eade
Silver-spotted Skipper (male & female) - Bob Eade
Silver-spotted Skipper (egg) - Peter Eeles
Peter Eeles
Silver-spotted Skipper (caterpillar) - Peter Eeles
Peter Eeles
Silver-spotted Skipper (pupa) - Peter Eeles
Peter Eeles