Unusual Small Skipper

[David M]

Whilst out and about in Castle Meadows, Abergavenny, amongst the predominant Essex Skippers was a rather unusual golden skipper which, judging by the antennae, was Small Skipper.

I did a double take as I first thought it might be a late Large Skipper given the upperside markings on the forewing, however it is definitely not sylvanus as is evidenced by the following images:

I've never seen markings like this on a Small Skipper before and wondered if anyone else has?

[MrSp0ck]

The markings match a female Lulworth Skipper. Not that im saying it is though.

dark mark on the outer edge of the cell, and brown border to the forewings.

[millerd]

It looks a bit like this one I saw the other day at Aston Rowant...

...or this one seen up at Allerthorpe in Yorkshire:

Both are females and both have the same mark on the forewing to a greater or lesser degree. Your butterfly seems to have a more extreme version of the same mark, David.

Dave

[Willrow]

It has markings far nearer to Large Skipper than Small Skipper but as you illustrate so well with your images David Ochlodes sylvanus it most certainly is not. Dave has also provided similar Small Skipper examples from as far apart as Oxfordshire and Yorkshire, this suggests a trait bordering on variant or aberrant. Very interesting and well spotted David...the lessons continue

A browse around the Cockayne Butterfly Collection archive might be in order and/or of course the fine UK Butterflies species resources, that's if you havn't already taken a look!

Having just quickly checked CBC it appears very much like the ab.obscura

Bill

"When in doubt - venture out"

[David M]

Thanks for posting your very similar specimen, Dave.

Yes, Bill, I've taken a look at Cockayne and it does indeed resemble the female sylvestris ab. obscura. Good bit of research there my friend!