Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages
Habitat
The Dingy Skipper is found in localised colonies in the East Midlands in grassland areas, disused railways, old quarries, reclaimed pit-tips, upland heath and woodland rides. It has suffered a decline in recent years due to 'improvement' of ancient grassland for agriculture or to lack of grazing on unimproved grassland. It is a conservation priority species.
Identification
It is unlike any other butterfly found in the British Isles, but it can be confused with other species found in the same habitats such as Grizzled Skipper and day-flying moths such as Mother Shipton and Burnet Companion.
Flight times
It is on the wing from late April until late June, occasionally with a second brood in August.
Food plants
Eggs are most commonly laid on Common Bird's-foot-trefoil, or Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil on heavier soils and Horseshoe Vetch on calcareous soils.
