A Biodiversity Information System for Cheshire, Halton, Warrington & Wirral

Posted: **Sat May 07, 2011 6:45 pm**

Dingy Skippers (Erynnis tages):

Up to six Dingy Skippers (Erynnis tages) have been flying for the past week at their new colony in Higher Poynton. I have been unable to find any Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) at the site, so am unsure as to what their foodplant is. Last Monday another colony was found at Higher Disley, a site known to contain Bird's-foot Trefoil. I believe that Geoff Wotherspoon has also found another colony near Chester.

Steve

Posted: **Sat May 07, 2011 10:56 pm**

Just to add a tiny extra bit of information about this species for readers:

The primary larval foodplant is Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus) and Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa) are also used.

Adults feed/nectar primarily on: Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Bugle (Ajuga reptans), Buttercups (Ranunculus spp.), Hawkweeds (Hieracium/Hypochoeris spp.), Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) and Vetches (Vicia spp.).

Like all skippers, the Dingy Skipper has an extremely fast flight that can be difficult to follow as it flits along, close to the ground. The butterfly is a warmth-loving species, and spends long periods basking on bare earth or on a stone that has been baked by the sun. The butterfly prefers to nectar on yellow flowers and has a preference for flowers of Bird's-foot Trefoil, Horseshoe Vetch, Buttercup and Hawkweeds. In the late afternoon, the butterflies gather to roost on dead flowers or grass heads, where they take on a moth-like pose, with wings wrapped around the flower head.

Steve

A Biodiversity Information System for Cheshire, Halton, Warrington & Wirral

Dingy Skippers

Dingy Skippers

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