Large Skipper

• Latin name: Ochlodes sylvanus
• Family group: Skippers
• Countries: England, Scotland, Wales
• Size: Small

Resident

Range expanding.

Male Large Skippers are most often found perching in a prominent, sunny position, usually on a large leaf at a boundary between taller and shorter vegetation, awaiting passing females. Females are less conspicuous, though both sexes may be seen feeding on flowers, Bramble being a favourite. The presence of a faint chequered pattern on both sides of the wings distinguishes this species from the similar Small and Essex Skippers, which fly at the same time.

The Large Skipper is widespread in southern Britain and its range has extended northwards in north-east England since the 1960s.

Conservation status

• UK Biodiversity Action Plan: not listed
• Butterfly Conservation priority: low
• European threat status: not threatened

European/world range

Widespread through most of Europe, occurring as far north as latitude 64B0N in Sweden, and extending eastwards throughout Asia to China and Japan. Stable in most European countries.

Foodplants

Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) and occasionally Purple Moor-grass (Molinia caerulea) and False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum) are used. Females have been observed laying eggs on Tor-grass (B. pinnatum) and Wood Small-reed (Calamagrostis epigejos).

Habitat

This butterfly favours grassy areas, where foodplants grow in sheltered, often damp, situations and remain tall and uncut. It is found in a wide variety of habitats where there are shrubs, tall herbs, and grasses, for example woodland rides and clearings, pastures, roadside verges, hedgerows, and wet heathland. It is also a species of urban habitats, occurring in parks, churchyards, and other places with long grasses.