Back to photostream

Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus)

This butterfly favours grassy areas, where foodplants grow in sheltered, often damp, situations and remain tall and uncut. It is found in a wide variety of habitats where there are shrubs, tall herbs, and grasses, for example woodland rides and clearings, pastures, roadside verges, hedgerows, and wet heathland. It is also a species of urban habitats, occurring in parks, churchyards, and other places with long grasses.

 

Male Large Skippers are most often found perching in a prominent, sunny position, usually on a large leaf at a boundary between taller and shorter vegetation, awaiting passing females. Females are less conspicuous, though both sexes may be seen feeding on flowers, Bramble being a favourite.

 

The Large Skipper is widespread in southern Britain and its range has extended northwards in north-east England since the 1960s.

 

- Butterfly Conservation

7,845 views
21 faves
23 comments
Uploaded on July 10, 2012
Taken on July 10, 2012