Skipper help please

[Kevin Jarvis]

Hi All

Is this a Essex Skipper? taken in london this a.m
thanks in advance.Kev

[Willrow]

It's most probably a Small Skipper rather than Essex Skipper. In Essex Skipper the antenna tip is black underneath.

Bill

[aeshna5]

I would go with Essex Skipper as to my eyes the underside of the tips of the antennae do look jet black to me.

[Johnny Redgate]

I'm with Aeshna, Essex, for the antenna tips and also the scent brand is short and parallel to the forewing edge rather than slightly angled towards the tip as it would be in Small.

[Deb London]

Originally Posted by Johnny Redgate

I'm with Aeshna, Essex, for the antenna tips and also the scent brand is short and parallel to the forewing edge rather than slightly angled towards the tip as it would be in Small.

Good tip, must remember this one as this seems far easier to look for in the field without resorting to taking a picture.

[Willrow]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I would go with Essex Skipper as to my eyes the underside of the tips of the antennae do look jet black to me.

We shall agree to differ on this one aeshna, to my eyes the near antenna tip looks more dull brown and could hardly be described as 'jet black'. The far antenna looks a little more black, but I've seen many Small Skipper that look like that too.

I've heard and seen so many disputes over which is which that I'm daft to even hazard this suggestion. Both wing shape and sex brands can be so similar in both species that it would take a very brave person to say 'definitely'. Furthermore (and with the greatest respect to Kevin) it's not the greatest image for really saying 'yeah or nay' is it!

Small Skipper is usually on the wing before Essex, however all species are doing crazy things this year, so it's causing most of us 'butterflyers' a bit of a head scratch

Bill

[htcdude]

Hope Kevin doesn't mind me cropping his image, maybe this will help??



Nige

[Deb London]

Ermmm, what's the polite way of saying it...

Essex for me, based on the scent brand.