Small Skipper
Thymelicus sylvestris
National Status
A butterfly of south and south-east England, range expanding. Population trend 10 years to 2016 -66%; since 1976 -88%.
West Midlands Status
Found in all four counties with its stronghold in Worcestershire, range expanding. Population trend 10 years to 2016 – major increase.
Habitat
Warm, grassy areas such as woodland rides, meadows and roadside verges.
Caterpillar Food Plant
The primary larval foodplant is Cock’s-foot (Dactylis glomerata). Common Couch (Elytrigia repens), Creeping Soft-grass (Holcus mollis), False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum), Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis), Timothy (Phleum pratense) and Tor-grass (Brachypodium pinnatum) are also used
Life Cycle
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Egg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larva | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pupa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adult | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flight Period
Late June to August.
Distribution Map
Hotspots
Any area of open dry grassland.