Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Large Skipper
Scientific Name:
Ochlodes sylvanus
Wingspan (mm):
Male: 29 - 34mm, Female: 31 - 36mm Description
Upperwings dark brown and orange brown with pale markings. Underwings buffush orange with paler spots.
The male has a black strip of scent scales in the middle of the forewing which is absent in the female.
Distribution
The Large Skipper is widespread in Southern Britain and its range has extended northwards into North-East England since the 1960s.
Habitat
The Large Skipper butterfly favours grassy areas, where foodplants grow in sheltered, often damp, situations and remain tall and uncut. It is found in a wide variety of habitats where there are shrubs, tall herbs, and grasses, for example woodland rides and clearings, pastures, roadside verges, hedgerows, and wet heathland. It is also a species of urban habitats, occurring in parks, churchyards, and other places with long grasses.
Diet
Cock's-foot and occasionally Purple Moor-grass and False Broome are used. Females have been observed laying eggs on Tor-grass and Wood Small-reed
Status
UK Biodiversity Action Plan: not listed Butterfly Conservation priority: low European threat status: not threatened
Did You Know?
This butterfly hibernates as a final instar (fully grown) caterpillar in a rolled up leaf.
