Dingy Skipper
Erynnis tages
National Status
The most widely distributed of the skippers, found locally throughout the UK, range contracting. Population trend 10 years to 2016 +69%; since 1976 -19%.
West Midlands Status
Scattered populations in the four counties, range contracting. Population trend: 10 years to 2016 – decreasing after good years in 2011 and 2012.
Dingy Skipper was recorded in 42 squares in 2026
10 Year Trend Analysis
Habitat
Close-grazed grassy areas, brownfield sites, quarries and well-managed woodland rides.
Caterpillar Food Plant
The main foodplant is Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). Greater Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus) and Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa) are also used.
Life Cycle
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Egg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larva | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pupa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adult | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flight Period
Late April to late June
First/Last Sightings 2026
| First Sighting | Recorded by | Last Sighting | Recorded by |
| 22 April | Payne, Darren | 9 August | Hill, Sylvia |
Distribution Map
Key
Total number of sightings per tetrad
Hotspots
Wyre Forest and Penny Hill Bank in Worcestershire, Oswestry Hills in Shropshire, Stoke-on-Trent area and Cannock Chase in Staffordshire and brownfield sites in the Black Country. Sites: Llanymynech Rocks; Lea Quarry; Baggeridge Country Park.