Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma) | Species |
 Male. Taken at Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon., on July 20th 2020. (1/250th sec at f13. © David Hastings)  Male underside. Taken at Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon., on August 8th 2021. (1/250th sec at f11. © David Hastings)  Female. Taken at Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon., on July 26th 2021. (1/400th sec at f11. © David Hastings)  Female underside. Taken at Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon., on August 7th 2018. (1/500th sec at f14. © David Hastings) DescriptionFamily: Hesperiidae Wing span: 30 - 36mm This attractively-marked Skipper is quite rare, but has been spreading to new sites in recent years. The silvery blotches on the underwings are diagnostic. It is restricted to southern England, being mainly found in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Surrey and the southern Chilterns. It is confined to chalk grassland where the turf is short and there are patches of bare ground. Adults are usually on the wing from the end of July to the beginning of September. The species over-winters as an ovum. The sole larval foodplant is Sheep's-fescue (Festuca ovina). Adults often feed on purple flowers such as Dwarf Thistle and Scabious. Males perch in a sunny position to await a female. Aerial courtship is followed by mating on the ground. Individuals are only active when the temperature exceeds 18°C. Near Threatened Sightings |