Moth-like, the male and female butterflies are similar in appearance, with the exception of the black scent line across each upper forewing of the male. Orange/brown with faint black veins and black margins, the underwing is paler. The caterpillar, has a pale green body and green head with a pink beak. Small Skippers are insects of high summer. Although they spend much of their time basking or resting among vegetation, they are marvellous flyers, manoeuvring expertly through tall grass stems. It is these darting flights, wings glinting golden-brown in the sunlight, that normally alert an observer to their presence. Closer examination will reveal many more individuals nectaring or basking with their wings held in the half-open posture distinctive of skipper butterflies.
The butterfly is widespread in southern Britain and its range has expanded northwards in recent years.
Small Skipper colonies are found where grasses are allowed to grow tall. Typical habitats are unimproved rough grassland, downs, verges, sunny rides, and woodland clearings. Colonies can occur on small patches of suitable habitat such as roadside verges and field margins.
A common butterfly in the parts of the British Isles in which it is to be found, although intensive farming has influenced its numbers, with the removal of hedgerows.
The Small Skipper butterfly makes a rapid whirring sound as it flies. The caterpillars disperse in spring to live individually in shelters pulled together from grass blades, held together by silk.
