Lulworth Skipper (Thymelicus acteon)
Species

Male. Taken in the Vercors Natural Park, France, on July 23rd 2018.
(1/250th sec at f14. © David Hastings)

Female. Taken at Byal gradets, Bulgaria, on June 21st 2014.
(1/250th sec at f11. © David Hastings)

Description

Family: Hesperiidae

Wing span: 24 - 27 mm

The smallest 'golden' skipper. Upper surfaces are brown with a dusting of golden scales. The male sex brand is slightly wavy.

It is widely distributed in Europe, but in the British Isles it is restricted to the Dorset coast between Weymouth and Swanage.

In England it is only found on steep south-facing downland or cliffs where the grass is allowed to grow into large clumps.

Adults are on the wing from the end of June to early September, with a peak in August. The larva is the over-wintering stage.

The larval foodplant is Tor Grass (Brachypodium pinnatum).

Adults feed on Marjoram and Scabious flowers.

Adults fly only in sunshine and fly very fast at low level. They rarely stray far from favoured breeding areas.

Near-Threatened

Sightings

23-Jul-2018 : Vercors Natural Park, France

09-Jun-2017 : Starigrad, Croatia
09-Jun-2017 : Paklenica National Park, Croatia
08-Jun-2017 : Paklenica National Park, Croatia

21-Jun-2014 : Byal gradets, Bulgaria
20-Jun-2014 : nr Dolna Kula, Bulgaria

19-Jul-2011 : Durlston NNR, Dorset (4)