Skipper for id please

[RobinP]

I really would like this to be a Small/Essex Skipper but suspect it is a Large...



Also managed a quick pic of a Marbled White, boy do they ever stop?

[Hedge Witch]

I think it's either a male Small Skipper or Large Skipper, LOL. Not Essex. Sorry I cannot help more. (The tips of the Essex antennae are completely black.)

Well done getting the MW shot

[GuyF]

It's a Large Skipper (pretty sure it's a female), Small Skippers are just starting to appear now so you may be able to find one over the next few weeks.
Guy

[Hedge Witch]

Guy, why is it? I just find them so confusing

[James M]

I think the males have prominent sex brands (the dark lines) on the wings, like this one.

(Photo by DaiTheDragon)

Knowing me though I'm probably talking a load of rubbish now , have I got it right?

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by Hedge Witch

Guy, why is it? I just find them so confusing

To me Small Skippers always look a lot 'plainer' than Large Skippers. Here are a couple of Roger's (Ollie) excellent shots of female Skippers.
Small Skippers are a fairly uniform bright orange on the upperside, with narrow black borders and white fringes.

Large Skippers always show more patterning on the upperwing, the females wings are mostly a browny orange with a series of yellowy orange panels.

The difference isn't quite as obvious with male Large Skippers, but the wings are still never quite as plain as in Small or Essex Skippers.

In Robin's photo you can see the light illuminating the paler panels on the forewings, in a Small Skipper I'd expect the wings to be all the same shade of orange. Some people use the hooked antennae of Large Skippers as a guide too, as these are more rounded in Small Skippers.
Hopefully I've explained that ok!
Guy

[Hedge Witch]

Originally Posted by GuyF

To me Small Skippers always look a lot 'plainer' than Large Skippers. Here are a couple of Roger's (Ollie) excellent shots of female Skippers.
Small Skippers are a fairly uniform bright orange on the upperside, with narrow black borders and white fringes.

Large Skippers always show more patterning on the upperwing, the females wings are mostly a browny orange with a series of yellowy orange panels.

The difference isn't quite as obvious with male Large Skippers, but the wings are still never quite as plain as in Small or Essex Skippers.

In Robin's photo you can see the light illuminating the paler panels on the forewings, in a Small Skipper I'd expect the wings to be all the same shade of orange. Some people use the hooked antennae of Large Skippers as a guide too, as these are more rounded in Small Skippers.
Hopefully I've explained that ok!
Guy

Seems so obvious now An explanatory post to be referred to again and again, thanks Guy