Is this an Essex Skipper? :)

martyp · #1 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 06:56 PM

Hi all,

Please can someone advise if this is an Essex or Small Skipper? It has the black tips to the antennae but I wasn't sure. I live in the West Midlands and according to the British Butterflies site that seems to be near the edge of their range if they are Essex Skippers so I was keen to report them to the local ecological records either way.

I'll try and get some better pictures tomorrow with my camera (this was taken with my phone) hopefully if they're around again.

Johnny Redgate · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 07:06 PM

I think that's a Small Skipper. Try and get a frontal view of the antennae.

martyp · #3 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 07:55 PM

Many thanks, I'll try and get a better picture with my proper camera tomorrow. I hadn't seen them there before so it was a nice surprise to encounter them. There seemed to be a lot of ringlets there as well, I hadn't seen that many ringlets before, meadow browns and gatekeepers (more the latter) seemed to be more common.
I'll post a better picture tomorrow hopefully, it was a shame I didn't have that camera as that skipper seemed really comfortable with me getting within inches with my camera phone clumsily moving the grass about trying to get a shot of it.

meatq6 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 01:30 PM

Essexes are moving westwards, but I agree probably Small. You need a better photo though.

martyp · #5 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 02:33 PM

How about this one

I think I may have answered my own question as well by seeing the antennae...
I went out this afternoon and after a brief searching and seeing about 12 Ringlets in a small area (they seem to be doing well here this year definitely!) I managed to find 3-4 of the skippers and took some photos with my camera.