Sussex Butterfly Conservation : Species

Butterfly Species in Sussex

Male Large Skipper nectaring on Greater Knapweed – photo by Martin Kalaher

Large Skipper

Ochlodes sylvanus

Description

This meadow skipper can be found more-or-less anywhere in Sussex, wherever there are sufficient clumps of coarse grass species, but especially Cocksfoot, which is its preferred larval foodplant. It lives in discrete colonies, most of which are quite small, but it can be common, or occasionally very common on prime downland sites, favoured woodland clearings and rides, and saltmarsh.

First-emergence often occurs in the last week of May, but the dates do vary considerably, depending on the spring weather. For 2006-2024 the “average first sighting” was May 26th (range May 8th to June 14th). Some of the early dates are up to six weeks earlier compared to Victorian times.

A male Large Skipper is very obliging towards the butterfly photographer. It perches prominently in defence of its territory and if approached with care, will usually allow a very close examination. The broad, black sex-brands running across the forewings are very distinctive. By contrast we do not often see the females, for once mated, they tend to keep a low profile.

Skippers are a troublesome lot when it comes to identification. It is possible to confuse a Large Skipper with a Silver-spotted Skipper, but apart from the differences in markings, there are a couple of other pointers worth mentioning. Both are grassland species, but Large Skippers are usually found quite close to shrubs/ bushes (as they like to have a bolthole available close-by), whilst Silver-spotted Skippers are almost always found in very open grassland, and if disturbed they simply fly 20-30 metres away, and disappear into the grass. The second point concerns dates. When Silver-spotted Skippers peak in early August they are very fresh, whilst Large Skippers are at the very end of their first-brood flight period and are very worn.

This species is usually considered to be single-brooded with a flight period from May to late August. In 1933, which was an exceptionally hot year, there was a partial second brood, but already in this millennium there have been at least six years when a partial second brood has been recorded. The most remarkable was a record of 25 Large Skippers at Cissbury on 08/10/2008. A warming climate can be the only reasonable explanation for this dramatic change.

Where to find

Wherever there is plenty of Cocksfoot or other coarse grass species. Colonies are usually small, but larger colonies may be found at Chantry Hill at TQ0812, Eartham Wood at SU940106, a circular walk via SU941113, SU948117 and SU951114, Fairmile Bottom LNR from SU988093 to SU980089, Friston Forest and Gallops from TV527993 toTV544986 and TV544991 to TV544997, and Graffham Down Trust reserves from SU910163 to SU926161.