Large Skipper
Ochlodes sylvanus
Males possess a prominent black line on their forewings called a 'sex brand,' which contains specialized scales that release pheromones to attract females.
- Scientific name
- Ochlodes sylvanus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Hesperiidae › Ochlodes
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Tall grasslands, woodland rides, hedgerows, and damp meadows.
- Diet
- Adults feed on nectar from bramble, thistles, and knapweeds; larvae consume various grasses including Cocksfoot and Purple Moor-grass.
- Range
- Europe, Temperate Asia, North Africa
- Size
- Wingspan of 28mm to 32mm.
- Lifespan
- Approximately 1 year, with the adult flight stage lasting only 2-3 weeks.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, intensive agricultural grazing, and the removal of tall grass margins.
- Safe to approach?
- Entirely harmless to humans. Observe from a short distance as they are easily spooked by fast movements. No special precautions are needed if accidental contact occurs, though handling should be avoided to protect their delicate wing scales.
The large skipper ( Ochlodes sylvanus ) is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae.
Photo: SteveM4560, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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