Skipper for identification

[Medard]

Another Skipper for identification please, this one has me confused as it has brown antenna tips, photo taken near Revest-de-Brion, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. 24-06-2017

https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com

[bugboy]

Looks like a Small Skipper... unless the taxonomic splitters have been at the Thymelicus sp. in Europe

[Padfield]

But the golden apex to the forewing suggests acteon ...

Are there any upperside shots at all - even bad ones?

Guy

[Medard]

But the golden apex to the forewing suggests acteon ...

Are there any upperside shots at all - even bad ones?

Thanks for the comments, regrettable the above 24-06-2017 is the only picture I have.
The four photos below were taken at the same location on the 22-06-2017

https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/

[bugboy]

Those 4 all look like like Essex Skippers, the first 3 definitely are. I agree with Guy that Lulworth is a definite possibility with the first one (wasn't even thinking about them when I made my initial ID)

[Medard]

Hi Bugboy I had captioned the four skippers as Essex ,so I did get that right, initially I thought the first photo was also an Essex Skipper but the Brown antenna had me confused.
Thanks for your input, It's a big learning curve, you fellows are so helpful.

[Padfield]

The colour contrast on the undersides is useful, if not 100% reliable.

Small skipper typically has good contrast between apex and ground colour, and the hindwing is the same colour as the apex. The undersides of the antennae are buff:



Essex skipper typically has weak contrast - often golden everywhere. The undersides of the antennae are black.



Lulworth skipper typically has weak contrast - often golden everywhere. The undersides of the antennae are buff. This is an awful picture, but it illustrates the points:



Guy