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Essex or Small Skipper?

Posted: Fri May 06, 2022 5:18 pm
by Lawts
Is this Essex Skipper. I'd always assumed so based on the completely black tip to the antenna.
However, the sex brand is definitely not parallel to the wing.
Again it's a photo of a photo, so apologies for that.
Thanks for any help.

Re: Essex or Small Skipper?

Posted: Fri May 06, 2022 7:45 pm
by millerd
Hi Lawts,

It's difficult to say for sure about the antennae, but I think what you have taken to be the male sex brand is actually a marking on a female butterfly, which is why it is at such a big angle to the wing edge. Not helpful I know in identifying species... :) Let's see what others think.

Cheers,

Dave

Re: Essex or Small Skipper?

Posted: Fri May 06, 2022 7:54 pm
by Lawts
Thanks Dave. Appreciated.

Re: Essex or Small Skipper?

Posted: Fri May 06, 2022 8:09 pm
by bugboy
Where was the photo taken, location is sometimes enough to rule out Essex Skippers.

Re: Essex or Small Skipper?

Posted: Fri May 06, 2022 8:44 pm
by David M
I can't see how this could be Small Skipper based on the antennal club colour.

Essex for me.

Re: Essex or Small Skipper?

Posted: Fri May 06, 2022 8:46 pm
by Lawts
It was taken along the coast road at Cley-next-the-sea which is a location that gets Essex. I'm happy it was an Essex, but it was the angle of the sex brand that was throwing me. However, if it's not the sex brand, it makes sense.

Re: Essex or Small Skipper?

Posted: Fri May 06, 2022 8:59 pm
by Toby Ludlow
Hi,
This is an Essex Skipper. The straw coloured antennae indicate it is a female Essex Skipper, so it will not have the male sex brand.
With best wishes
Toby

Re: Essex or Small Skipper?

Posted: Sat May 07, 2022 6:40 am
by Lawts
Thanks all for your replies. Appreciated.