Spotlight on Cheshire butterflies: the Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)

In recent years the Small Skipper has become the most numerous and widespread member of this family in Cheshire , making it hard to believe that in earlier times it was such a rarity. The first published note of this insect in the county was by Ellis (1890) who referred to it as “generally distributed”, although he only referred to sites at Delamere Forest , Eastham and Sutton, together with single reports in the 1870s from Alderley and Raby. Subsequently, the Small Skipper was described by Day (1903) as “local and very seldom seen”. It seems likely that this butterfly then disappeared completely from Cheshire as Mansbridge (1940) did not mention any additional sightings and there were no authenticated records between 1900 and the mid-1970s.

It was not until 1976 that the species was found to be well established on a disused railway near Malpas in SJ54, whilst further searches over the next few years in the neighbouring squares of SJ44, SJ45 and SJ55 confirmed its presence in those areas ( Rutherford , 1983). It is possible that as there was little butterfly recording being undertaken during this period in the south-west of the county the Small Skipper could have been undetected in these areas for a number of years. Subsequent data does, however, clearly show how the species spread rapidly throughout Cheshire during the 1980s reaching all northern 10km squares by the early 1990s.

Data extracted from the Cheshire Butterfly Recording Scheme show that since 1990 the Small Skipper has been found in 77% of tetrads (2km x 2km squares). It occurs in a range of habitats, but is most numerous on unimproved rough grassland, woodland edges and embankments. It can also survive on small patches of suitable habitat along roadside verges or field margins. Sightings are fairly evenly spread across the county, although colonies in the Pennine foothills tend to contain much smaller numbers than those at lowland sites. The butterfly can breed on a range of grasses, but invariably utilises Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus).

The Small Skipper spends much of its time basking or resting amongst vegetation, but is most frequently seen with its darting flight amongst uncultivated grasses. It normally emerges in early July with sightings continuing until mid-August. The only other species with which it could be confused in Cheshire is the Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata) which has a mottled colouring, compared to the clear golden wings of the Small Skipper. There is, however, an overlap in the flight period of these two insects, although the Large Skipper emerges earlier with a usual flight period from late May to late July.  

References:

Day, G.O. (1903). A list of Lepidoptera found in the counties of Cheshire , Flintshire, Denbighshire, Carnarvonshire and Anglesea.

Ellis, J.W. (1890). The Lepidopterous Fauna of Lancashire and Cheshire .

Rutherford , C.I. (1983). Butterflies in Cheshire 1961 to 1982. Proceedings of the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society 1987-88.

Smith, S.G. (1948). The Butterflies and Moths found in the counties of Cheshire , Flintshire, Denbighshire, Caernarvonshire, Anglesey and Merionethshire.

Written by Barry Shaw for News, the Cheshire and Peak Distrcit Branch of Butterfly Conservation magazine.