Large Skipper Ochlodes venata
Habitat
The Large Skipper is the most widespread orange skipper, and it needs tall, uncut long grass. It is found in rough grassy areas, roadside verges and woodland rides.
Identification
The Large Skipper is slightly larger than the Small Skipper or Essex Skipper, and appears brighter and more robust. It has a faint chequered pattern on both the underside and upperside of the wings, and the underside is a greenish-orange colour. The male has a conspicuous sex brand on the forewings.
Flight times
The Large Skipper appears in late May/early June and flies until the end of August.
Food plants
Eggs are laid on the underside of Cock's-foot, False Brome or Purple Moor-grass
Distribution Maps
2005-2009
2010-14
2015-19
2015
| No of tetrads | 410 |
|---|---|
| First sighting | 05/05/2015 |
| Last sighting | 31/08/2015 |
2016
| No of tetrads | 333 |
|---|---|
| First sighting | 16/05/2016 |
| Last sighting | 31/08/2016 |
2017
| No of tetrads | 392 |
|---|---|
| First sighting | 01/05/2017 |
| Last sighting | 18/09/2017 |
2018
| No of tetrads | 327 |
|---|---|
| First sighting | 15/05/2018 |
| Last sighting | 09/09/2018 |
2019
| No of tetrads | 328 |
|---|---|
| First sighting | 23/05/2019 |
| Last sighting | 21/08/2019 |
2020
| No of tetrads | 325 |
|---|---|
| First sighting | 20/05/2020 |
| Last sighting | 23/08/2020 |
2021
| No of tetrads | 296 |
|---|---|
| First sighting | 29/05/2021 |
| Last sighting | 07/09/2021 |
2022
| No of tetrads | 262 |
|---|---|
| First sighting | 17/05/2022 |
| Last sighting | 17/09/2022 |
2023
| No of tetrads | 264 |
|---|---|
| First sighting | 18/05/2023 |
| Last sighting | 04/09/2023 |
Similar or Easily Confused Species and ID Hints
Small Skipper Thymelicus silvestris & Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola
Both the Small Skipper and Essex Skipper can be confused with the Large Skipper. All three have similar overall 'orange' colouration and occupy similar grassland habitats.The Large Skipper is a stronger flier also has brighter undersides and more variegated markings on the upper wings.
Large Skipper Ochlodes venata abb.
Occasionally there appear lighter abberations of the Large Skipper, as seen in this example found by Ben Kenwood in Mansfield in 2015.
