(Linnaeus, 1758)
Dingy Skipper
Description:
The Dingy Skipper is a small, inconspicuous butterfly. In the north of its range it occurs on chalk grasslands, but further to the south it is also found on road verges and lightly grazed grasslands.
It lays its eggs on the leaves of leguminous plants such as Coronilla varia (Crown Vetch), Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis communis) and Common Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), usually choosing plants growing near bare patches.
The caterpillar spins itself a small, tube-like shelter from leaves of the larval food plant, living and feeding in it until fully grown. It then builds itself a sturdier shelter in which to pass the winter. In the spring, without further feeding, it pupates, either in the shelter, or in the moss layer. The adult butterfly is often found on bugle (Ajuga spp.) and, while visiting flowers, is easily observed. It rests, mothlike, with its wings closed over its back, but holds them open when alighting on a flower. It is the only skipper occurring in Ireland.
The Dingy Skipper usually only has one brood a year, but in good summers and in the southern part of its range, it sometimes has a second brood that may be only partial.
Habitat:
Dry siliceous grasslands
Dry calcareous grasslands
Mesophile grasslands
Similar species:
Erynnis marloyi