
Essex Skipper. Photo: Michael Lewis

Essex Skipper. Photo: Michael Lewis
Mike sent in these two photos with the following comments:
Skippers have started appearing in my Dorchester garden today, 23/06/2023. I’ve been using an app to help identify wildflowers and I thought I’d try it out on these butterflies but I sort of wish I hadn’t because it’s telling me with high confidence that they are either Essex or Lulworth Skippers and I thought they were Small. Despite being familiar with some of the defining characteristics I still find it difficult to tell them apart, but whatever they are, I love their orange gorgeousness!
Editor’s Note: To get a definitive ID for these two butterflies, I referred both photos to one of our “verifiers” who confirmed that they are both Essex Skippers. He said that fortunately they are both male so the short straight sex brand on the forewing is diagnostic. The often quoted black antennae tips – dipped in ink – less clear (unlike in Shona Refoy’s photos posted a few days ago). Females always much harder to be sure about unless photo is from the front and underneath to show antennae tips.