Photo © Pete Eeles
Essex Skipper
Thymelicus lineola
Checklist Number57.005 [B&F: 1527]
Verification
Record will normally be accepted but photo evidence may be required - check with CMR if not sure of identity
Classification
| Family: | Hesperiidae |
| Subfamily: | Hesperiinae |
| Genus: | Thymelicus |
| Species: | lineola |
| Authority: | (Ochsenheimer, 1808) |
Common in rough grassland and saltmarshes; 0-400 m (0-2200 m in Europe) throughout much of southern England; mainland Europe and southern Scandinavia. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight fairly common in suitable habitat. Wingspan 27-30 mm. Similar to Small Skipper, but underside of the tips of the antennae are black. Larva feeds on Cock's-foot, Creeping Soft-grass, Timothy and False-brome.