Dingy skipper

Scientific name: Erynnis tages

The moth-like dingy skipper is a small, grey-brown butterfly of open, sunny habitats like chalk grassland, sand dunes, heathland and waste ground.

Species information

Statistics

Wingspan: 2.7-3.4cm

Conservation status

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

When to see

May to August

About

The dingy skipper is a small butterfly with a moth-like appearance and a buzzing, low, darting flight. It emerges in May and can have a second brood in August if the weather is good. It prefers open habitats, including chalk grassland, heathland, woodland clearings, coastal dunes, old quarries and waste ground; on sunny days, it can be spotted basking on bare ground with open wings. The caterpillars' preferred foodplant is common bird's-foot-trefoil. On heavier soil, it will eat horseshoe vetch or greater bird's-foot-trefoil.

How to identify

The dingy skipper has grey-brown upperwings with mottled markings. Its underwings are more reddish-brown, with two rows of white spots. It can easily be confused with the grizzled skipper, but is not as brightly patterned. It might also be confused with the Mother Shipton moth or burnet companion moth.

Distribution

Found throughout the UK, but restricted to coastal sites in Scotland.

Habitats

Did you know?

In dull weather and at night, the dingy skipper perches on top of dead flowerheads in a moth-like fashion; it curves its wings in a way that is not seen in other butterflies.