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Small skipper

Small skipper

Thymelicus sylvestris

A species of Thymelicus

The brown-ocher or ocher yellow brown-throated pterois (Thymelicus sylvestris) is a butterfly of the family of the thick-headed (Hesperiidae).

General Info About Small skipper
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Attributes of Small skipper
Colors
Brown
Orange
Habitat
grassland; roadside; near hedgerow; downland; woodland; along woodland ride
Adult Food Sources
Nectar from flowers such as centaurea (knapweeds), lotus (bird's-foot trefoils), and leucanthemum (oxeye daisies)
Larva Food Source
Grasses such as festuca ovina (sheep's fescue), poa annua (annual meadow grass), and cynosurus cristatus (crested dog's-tail)
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Small skipper is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
The Small skipper is often found near the corolla, where its fluffy hairs easily pick up pollen, assisting in the pollination of the plant.
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Small skipper feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Siphoning mouthparts
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Species Status of Small skipper
This butterfly's range includes much of Europe, north Africa and the Middle East.
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Distribution Area of Small skipper
Britain
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Appearance of Small skipper
It has a rusty orange colour to the wings, upper body and the tips of the antennae. The body is silvery white below and it has a wingspan of 25–30 mm. This butterfly is very similar in appearance to the Essex skipper (Thymelicus lineola). In the small skipper, the undersides of the tips of the antennae are yellow orange, whereas they are black in the Essex skipper. The black area on the lower edge of the upper wings also differs. Like the other orange grass skippers the male has a distinctive black stripe made up of scent scales.
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How to Identify Small skipper?

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Life Cycle of Small skipper
Egg The egg stage of small skipper involves a dormant phase where the insect is encased within a protective shell, usually laid on host plants. The size is very small and the color can vary, commonly camouflaged.
Larva At this stage, small skipper displays significant growth. The larva, often a caterpillar, is elongated with distinct segments. Colors and patterns can vary for camouflage or warning. It focuses on feeding and growth.
Pupal During the pupa stage, small skipper undergoes transformation inside a chrysalis. The creature is immobile and appears lifeless. Coloration can vary, blending with the environment or warning predators.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult small skipper’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
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Adult Size of Small skipper
2.5 - 3 cm
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Predators of Small skipper Larvae
Birds, rodents, insects, spiders
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Predators of Adult Small skipper
Birds, spiders, mantis, dragonflies
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Interesting Facts About Small skipper
Small skipper can perceive polarized light, a feature that aids in navigation and is not common in the animal kingdom.
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Scientific Classification of Small skipper
Tips for Finding Small skipper
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Youth Habitat of Small skipper
Grasslands and Prairies, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
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Adult Habitat of Small skipper
Grasslands and Prairies, Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
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How Can You Attract Small skipper
To attract small skipper, bait traps with substances that mimic the pheromones or food sources such as fermented fruit, or nectar-rich flower essences.
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Habitat Preferences of Small skipper Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of small skipper are typically laid on grasses where they also hatch. Caterpillars preferentially reside within the stems and leaf folds of host grasses, where they feed and grow. Pupation usually takes place in a cocoon amongst dense grass. Adult small skipper are often seen basking or feeding on nectar in flower-rich grasslands and meadows. Seeking the different growth stages involves inspecting host plants for eggs and caterpillars, checking for pupae in grass tussocks, and observing adults in sunlit clearings and field edges abundant with flowering plants.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Small skipper
The best time to find adult small skipper is usually during the warmer months and on sunny days, preferably in the morning when they are most active. For finding eggs or caterpillars, it depends on their breeding cycle, usually in the spring or early summer.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Small skipper
Ideal weather conditions for finding small skipper include warm, sunny, and calm weather, as they are less active during cold, windy, or rainy days.
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How and Where Can You Find Small skipper at Different Life Stages
Egg Eggs of small skipper are typically laid on the underside of host plant leaves. To find them, inspect host plants closely, particularly looking under the leaves for small, spherical objects.
Larva Small skipper caterpillars can be found on or near their host plants. To spot them, look for signs of feeding such as chewed leaves, and inspect the plant carefully for caterpillars camouflaged against the greenery.
Pupal Pupae of small skipper may be attached to the host plant or concealed in leaf litter or other debris. Searching around the base of host plants and in nearby leaf litter can reveal these camouflaged pupae.
Adult Adult small skipper are often found feeding on nectar from flowers, basking in the sun, or in courtship flights. Look for them in open, sunny areas with abundant wildflowers, or along the edges of woodlands and clearings.
Are Small skipper harmful?
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Beneficial Effects of Small skipper
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Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
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Pollinator
Pollinator
Attract Plant Feature
Color, Shape
Pollination Behavior Reason
Eat Pollen Or Nectar
Small skipper engages in pollination largely by eating pollen themselves. While moving from flower to flower for feeding, they inadvertently transfer pollen, assisting in plant reproduction. This inadvertent yet crucial process exemplifies the symbiotic relationship between flowering plants and their pollinating partners.
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