Is this a Lulworth Skipper?

Discussion forum for getting a butterfly identified.
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steveh
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Is this a Lulworth Skipper?

Post by steveh »

This was taken at Lulworth cove but is it actually a Lulworth Skipper?

Many thanks
Steve

Image a few posts below!..
Last edited by steveh on Sat Apr 28, 2007 3:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Dave McCormick
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Post by Dave McCormick »

Looks like it to me, to tell look for the faint golden ring on forewing which is more obvious in the female.
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Padfield
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Post by Padfield »

I think that is a male Lulworth skipper.

Do you have a higher res. version? I wouldn't feel 100% confident without examining it a little more closely, as both Essex and Small skippers do have dark grey occasional forms.

Guy
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Dave McCormick
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Post by Dave McCormick »

Here is one weay to tell difference from a Essex skipper and a small skipper, (probably won't help this case unless you can see antennae, need a larger pic to see properly)

Th easiest way to tell the difference between the two is to look at the tips of the antennae. The Essex skippers are black. Small skippers are orange.

Lulworth Skipper info (might help):

With a wingspan of approximately 2.5 cm this is Britain's smallest Skipper. It is noticeably darker than the other Thymelicus skippers.

The females have orange 'sun ray' markings on their forewings whereas the males have darker brown wings with the usual black scent brand in the center of each forwing. It occurs in southern and central Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa.

In Great Britain it is restricted to the south coast of the county of Dorset centered on the village of Lulworth, where it was first discovered in 1832, hence its English name. There are historical records of now extinct colonies in the counties of Devon and Cornwall (however the recorded sightings in Cornwall are disputed).

They only fly in strong sunshine and favour south facing habitats indicating that they are at the very northern limit of their range in the UK. The butterfly's main habitats include chalk downland, coastal grassland and undercliffs.
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steveh
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Post by steveh »

Is this image better?
Thanks for the replys so far!!

Image

Image


Regards
Steve
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Padfield
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Post by Padfield »

100% male Lulworth!!

Nice pictures - I wish I had just one that good.

Guy
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steveh
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Post by steveh »

Thanks for the Id Guy and the comments.

Kind regards
Steve
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steveh
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Post by steveh »

By the way just spent a while looking at your site...very impressive!..thats quite a collection.
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Martin
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Post by Martin »

padfield wrote:100% male Lulworth!!

Nice pictures - I wish I had just one that good.

Guy
What...like this :lol:

Image

Martin.
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Post by Padfield »

Thanks Martin - I feel much better now!!

OK, I've set myself a mission for 2007 - to get a good picture of a Lulworth skipper. Even if I fail, I bet I have a great time trying. 8)

Guy
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