Dingy Skipper

Erynnis tages

Restricted rare resident

Distribution and Status

It appears that loss of habitat since recording began in 1980 mostly due to farming improvements has led to many colonies being lost although populations have increased since 2005. Presently, the best colonies are at Hexton Chalk Pit and Aldbury Nowers.

Habitat Requirements

A wide range of habitats suit this butterfly including grassland, railway banks, roadside verges and woodland rides where its main larval foodplant Common Bird's-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus grows.

Larval Foodplants

Common Bird's-foot Trefoil L. corniculatus. Greater Bird-s-foot Trefoil L. pedunculatus and Horseshoe Vetch Hippocrepis comosa on the chalk may also sometimes be used

Adult Food Sources

Common Bird's-foot Trefoil L. corniculatus, Buttercup Ranunculus sp.

Behaviour/Observation notes

It usually flies close to the ground and is fond of basking on bare patches. However, it needs taller grasses to roost overnight. Due to its inconspicuousness because of its drab colouring the butterfly can easily be missed and therefore probably under-recorded. It can also be confused with the Burnet Companion moth which is similar and flies at around the same time

Life History

The butterfly is usually on the wing from the end of April until the middle of June with a peak around the third week of May. Eggs are laid at the base of the leaves of the foodplant. The larva on emergence forms a tent using several leaflets from within which they feed. When fully grown it creates a hibernaculum within which it hibernates. In the spring, the larva emerges to form a pupa in the hibernaculum

Further information

Identifying Skippers
More on life cycle and status
UK distribution map
Full list of larval hostplants and adult food sources on Peter Hardy's database
Stevenage butterflies - additional notes