Aye Aye Skipper!

It really is butterfly season. During my walks, particularly those along the river where the vegetation is thickest, insect life is in abundance. Wherever you step there are damselflies and dragonflies, butterflies and grass moths. One of the species of butterfly that is out in abundance is the Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris). It’s a small butterfly, 25-30mm wingspan, with bright orange wings. upper body and antennae tips, and with a silvery underbody. It sometimes holds its wings when at rest much like a moth does with the forewings folded back over the hindwings, but usually more half open.

It is a member of a group known as “grass skippers” due to the habitat they live in which are tall grasses in wastelands, rough grassland, roadside verges, and woodland clearings. They are expert flyers and weave in and around the grasses with ease. Keep an eye out for them in tall rough grasses. They spend more time basking in the sun than flying. Not a bad idea in this heat! Too much excercise is too much like hard work.