Small Skipper
ExploreInsects
Small Skipper
Thymelicus sylvestris
The Small Skipper is a tiny butterfly with orange-brown wings. It flits around fields and meadows, bringing joy with its playful movements and bright colors.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Small Skipper is a small, golden-orange butterfly with slightly hooked antennae tipped in black. Its forewings often show a dark brown streak, helping to distinguish it from similar species. This coloration provides good camouflage in sunny grasslands.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyHesperiidaeGenusThymelicus
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Male Small Skippers have a dark scent mark to attract females.
The caterpillar hibernates as a tiny larva inside a silk tent in grass.
Their name comes from their unique, fast, skipping flight pattern!
They often rest with forewings at a different angle than hindwings.
Special abilities
Ability
Speedy Skippers
Small Skipper can fly with quick, darting movements because of their powerful flight muscles, helping them evade predators.
Ability
Nectar Sipper
Small Skipper has a long, coiled proboscis that helps them sip sweet nectar from deep inside flowers.
Ability
Stealthy Eggs
Small Skipper can lay its tiny eggs safely inside grass sheaths, protecting them from hungry animals.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 27-34 mm
- Size
- 15-20 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-20 days
- Flight Speed
- 18 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while their caterpillars munch on various types of grass.
Age differences: Larvae feed on grass blades, while adults use their proboscis to drink nectar from flowers.
Primary Foods
- Thistle nectar
- Ragwort nectar
- Cock's-foot grass
- Yorkshire Fog grass
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
Birds often prey on adult butterflies.
pollinates
Creeping Thistle
Cirsium arvense
Adults feed on its nectar and help pollination.
eats
Cock's-foot
Dactylis glomerata
Its caterpillars feed on the grass leaves.
eaten by
Garden Cross Spider
Araneus diadematus
Spiders can capture butterflies in their webs.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Miniature
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Butterflies are friendly and safe to watch, but don't try to catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Small Skipper's wingspan?
27-34 mm
How big is Small Skipper?
15-20 mm
How long does Small Skipper live?
10-20 days
How fast can Small Skipper fly?
18 km/h
What does Small Skipper eat?
Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while their caterpillars munch on various types of grass.
Where is Small Skipper usually found?
Grasslands
How does Small Skipper hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Small Skipper have?
6
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