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Thymelicus sylvestris


Thymelicus sylvestris
Photo Information
Copyright: Harm Alberts (Harm-digitaal) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 108 W: 7 N: 1846] (7019)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): European Butterflies 6 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-10-20 5:35
Viewed: 609
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Thymelicus sylvestris / Small Skipper / Braunkolbiger Braun-Dickkopffalter oder Ockergelber Braundickkopffalter / Geelsprietdikkopje / L'Hespérie de la houque.

The Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris butterfly of the Hesperiidae family.

Appearance, behaviour and distribution:
It has a rusty orange colour to the wings, upper body and the tips of the antennae. The body is silvery white below and it has a wingspan of 25 -30 mm. This butterfly is very similar in appearance to the Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola. In the Small Skipper, the undersides of the tips of the antennae are yellow orange, whereas they are black in the Essex Skipper. The black area on the lower edge of the upper wings also differs. Like the other orange 'grass skippers' the male has a distinctive black stripe made up of scent scales. This butterfly's range includes southern Britain, much of Europe, north Africa and the Middle East, typically occurring where grass has grown tall.

Lifecycle and foodplants:
Eggs are laid loosely inside grass sheathes of the caterpillars foodplants from July to August. The newly hatched caterpillars eat their own eggshell before entering hibernation individually in a protective cocoon of a grass sheath sealed with silk. In the spring the caterpiller begins feeding. The favoured food plant is Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus, although other recorded foodplants include Timothy Phleum pratense, Creeping Soft Grass Holcus mollis, False Brome Brachypodium sylvaticum, Meadow Foxtail Alopecurus pratensis and Cock's foot Dactylis glomerata. The caterpillars pupate near the base of the foodplant in June with the first adults on the wing at the end of June, a week or two before the first Essex Skippers.They are strongly attracted to purple flowers such as Thistles and Knapweeds.
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Critiques [Translate]

Such clear detail! Wonderfully close...and the colors are amazing.

Hi Harm,
Great shot! Beautiful Skipper!
Nice colors and very good contrast.
Well worked natural luminosity.
Congratulations!
Friendly,
José Roberto

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2007-10-22 15:44]

nice details and colours,thanks for share,Luciano

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