Silver-spotted Skipper

• Latin name: Hesperia comma
• Family group: Skippers
• Countries: England
• Size: Small

Resident

Decline and recent partial re-expansion of range.

This rare skipper is restricted to chalk downs in southern England where it can be seen darting low over short turf, stopping frequently to bask on bare ground or feed on flowers such as Dwarf Thistle. It can be distinguished by the numerous silver-white spots on the undersides of the hind wings, which can be seen quite easily when it rests with wings in a characteristic 'half-open' posture.

The Silver-spotted Skipper has declined rapidly over the last 50 years but has re-expanded partially since 1980.

Conservation status

• UK BAP status: Not listed (formerly Priority)
• Butterfly Conservation priority: medium
• European threat status: not threatened
• Protected in Great Britain for sale only

European/world range

Across Europe from central Spain to Scandinavia and throughout temperate Asia. Also in North Africa and North America. It has declined seriously in several European countries.

Foodplants

Sheep's-fescue (Festuca ovina) is the sole foodplant and the butterfly breeds only where this grows as small tufts in short or broken turf.

Habitat

The butterfly breeds in open chalk grassland which contains patches of short, sparse turf typically on thin soils. It also occurred formerly on limestone grassland in central and northern England. Warm, south facing slopes are preferred, but a few colonies occur on slopes with other aspects, including some gently north-facing ones.