The Essex Skipper was discovered in 2007 in Dumfries & Galloway at around the same time as the Small Skipper, and it probably arrived in similar circumstances, i.e. through an accidental introduction. It was first seen in the Dormont area south of Lockerbie and confirmed at Glasgow Museum.

The current status of the Essex Skipper in Scotland is unclear. There have been no confirmed sightings of Essex Skipper in Dumfries & Galloway since 2017 but the area is under-recorded so it may still be present.

Identification

Very similar to the Small Skipper, but there are differences in the colour of the antennae and in the shape of the male sex brand. For more detail see the Small Skipper description.

Life cycle & flight period

One generation a year, the adults peaking between end July and end August. Overwinters as an egg.

Larval foodplant

The females lay their eggs on the leaf blades of Cock’s-foot, Timothy and other broad-leaved grasses.

Habitats

The adult Essex Skipper emerges a couple of weeks after the Small Skipper, and tends to be found on slightly drier habitats such as railway embankments, although it can be abundant on roadside verges and other areas of tall grassland.