Loading
You are not signed in

Amelia / Photos

Small Skipper on Knapweed. Thymelicus sylvestris. Underwing

Or possibly the Essex Skipper, Thymelicus lineola.

These little butterflies were ubiquitous here, flitting around in the tall grasses and mostly sipping nectar from hard-heads, Centaurea / knapweed..
Visible by: Everyone
(more information)

More information

Visible by: Everyone

All rights reserved

Report this photo as inappropriate

6 comments

neira-Dan said:

superbe capture
3 years ago ( translate )

Keith Burton said:

Beautifully captured Amelia..............the detail is wonderful.

I'd be inclined towards the Small Skipper: The difference in maily in the antennae, in the Small Skipper these are orange-brown, whereas the Essex Skipper's appear to have been dipped in black ink (info from the East Midlands Butterfly Conservation website).
3 years ago

Joe, Son of the Rock said:

Excellent focus on the eye, Amelia. A lovely macro shot. All the best, Joe
3 years ago

Jean said:

Wonderful light and detail on the skipper.
3 years ago

Earthwatcher said:

Lovely macro! Well taken, Amelia.

I would agree that it is a Small skipper and not an Essex skipper. The accepted way of telling them apart is by the antennae, especially on the underside: the Essex skipper has very well defined jet-black tips to the antennae, "as if they had been dipped in ink".
Good video here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfeX6guLND4
3 years ago

Nicole Merdrignac said:

Superbe capture. Nicole.
3 years ago ( translate )
You must sign in to add a comment.