Essex Skipper
Thymelicus lineola
This record describes Thymelicus lineola (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species is very similar in appearance to the Small Skipper. The main distinguishing feature of the Essex Skipper is that the tips of its antennae are completely black, as if they have been dipped in ink. The male is distinguished from the female by the sex brand on its forewings, which is a short line of specialised scent scales. As described above, the Essex Skipper needs to be separated from the more common Small Skipper by closely examining the tips of the antenna to check they are completely black. In the Small Skipper, the black is only on the dorsal side. This species is found in rough grassland, including road verges, woodland rides, chalk grassland and embankments. Adults are on the wing throughout July and August. There is a single generation each year with the larvae feeding on grasses such as Couch and Cocks-foot. Despite its name, the Essex Skipper is now found over much of the southern half of England and it was first recorded in Wales in 2000. It is believed that the steep and grass-covered embankments that are often found on motorways and major trunk roads assisted the increase in distribution. These have acted as corridors allowing it to reach new locations more easily.
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Terms from the source record, grouped for readability. Broad terms such as size or location are not measurements or a confirmed range.
Wikipedia reference for Thymelicus lineola: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thymelicus lineola.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Hesperiinae
- Tribe
- Hesperiini
- Genus
- Thymelicus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
This species is found in rough grassland, including road verges, woodland rides, chalk grassland and embankments.
Seasonal Activity
Adults are on the wing throughout July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
There is a single generation each year with the larvae feeding on grasses such as Couch and Cocks-foot.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Despite its name, the Essex Skipper is now found over much of the southern half of England and it was first recorded in Wales in 2000. It is believed that the steep and grass-covered embankments that are often found on motorways and major trunk roads assisted the increase in distribution. These have acted as corridors allowing it to reach new locations more easily.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Thymelicus lineola. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Essex Skipper (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Essex Skipper
What is Essex Skipper?
Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Essex Skipper?
25mm to 29mm (0.98" to 1.14")
Where is Essex Skipper found?
Habitat: This species is found in rough grassland, including road verges, woodland rides, chalk grassland and embankments.
When is Essex Skipper active?
Essex Skipper: seasonal activity - Adults are on the wing throughout July and August..
What is the life cycle of a Essex Skipper?
There is a single generation each year with the larvae feeding on grasses such as Couch and Cocks-foot.