Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma) | Species |
 Male. Taken at Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon., on August 6th 2025. (© David Hastings) (Canon R7+RF100-400, f/10, 1/800th, ISO500, 400mm)  Male underside. Taken at Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon., on August 8th 2021. (© David Hastings) (Canon 7DII+Sigma 180, f/11, 1/250th, ISO400, 180mm)  Female. Taken at Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon., on August 6th 2025. (© David Hastings) (Canon R6+RF100, f/10, 1/500th, ISO640, 400mm)  Female underside. Taken at Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon., on August 7th 2018. (© David Hastings) (Canon7DII+EF70-300, f/13, 1/500th, ISO500, 300mm) DescriptionFamily: Hesperiidae Wing span: 30 - 36mm This attractively-marked Skipper is quite rare, but has been spreading to new sites in recent years. The silvery blotches on the underwings are diagnostic. It is restricted to southern England, being mainly found in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Surrey and the southern Chilterns. It is confined to chalk grassland where the turf is short and there are patches of bare ground. Adults are usually on the wing from the end of July to the beginning of September. The species over-winters as an ovum. The sole larval foodplant is Sheep's-fescue (Festuca ovina). Adults often feed on purple flowers such as Dwarf Thistle and Scabious. Males perch in a sunny position to await a female. Aerial courtship is followed by mating on the ground. Individuals are only active when the temperature exceeds 18°C. Near Threatened Earliest UK sighting: 14th July ; Latest UK sighting: 15th September Sightings |