Essex Skipper. Photo: Mark Pike
Between 1970 and 1984, despite hundreds of sites being examined, the Essex Skipper was confined to only 26 kilometre squares out of a total of over 2,900. By 2010-14 it had expanded to 276 squares and had spread first into North and East Dorset, later into South Dorset and finally only the far west of Dorset remained without records.
The mechanism for its speedy expansion from Essex and the South East to Dorset is thought to have been hastened by the passage of hay lorries from East Anglia which unintentionally spread the eggs along the grass verges of the main roads.
The difficulty of telling the Essex apart from the Small Skipper means that it is undoubtedly under recorded in some areas.
Where to see
- Habitat: Open/rough ground, clearings and roadside verges.
- Caterpillar foodplants: Cocksfoot grass, Creeping Soft Grass
- Best places: Widely found, but try Stour Valley, Alners Gorse, Hatch Pond (Poole) or Bindon Hill.
Distribution map
Essex Skipper was recorded from these 1km squares in Dorset (2015-19).
- Key:
- 1 record
- 2-9 records
- 10+ records
When to see
Possibly out by the end of June. July is its main period. Possibly going into August.
Sightings by month (last 5 years)*
This year and last*
What to look for
The most reliable way to tell an Essex Skipper from a Small Skipper is by the black tips to its antennae: they must show a clear cut offs which are visible from the underside too. If the antennae are greyish, brown or patchy black, they are not Essex.
A less reliable feature is that with Essex Skippers the underside tips of the upper wings are usually orange like the rest of the wing. Small Skipper wing tips change to a muddy yellow which matches the colour of their hind wing underside.
The scent brand (the black slash) on the upper forewing of the male Essex Skipper is short, straight and parallel with the wing edge. The Small Skipper scent brand is long, thick, slightly curved and not parallel to the edge of the wing.
Photo gallery
Click thumbnails to view full-size images.
Essex Skipper. Photo: Mark Pike
Essex Skipper - note the black tips to the antennae. Photo: Jacqueline Hull
Essex Skipper - not the black tips to the antennae. Photo: Gordon Cryer
Essex Skipper. Photo: Peter Lister
Essex Skipper, showing the short scent brand on the forewing. Photo: Mark PIke
Essex Skipper showing the orange colour on the underside going right up to the wing tip. Photo: Mark Pike
Essex Skipper. Photo: Andrew Cooper.
Essex Skipper. Photo: Brian Arnold.