General Distribution and Status

This is our most widespread skipper where it can be found throughout Britain, including the north of Scotland, with the strongest colonies in southern England. However, loss of habitat since the last war mostly due to farming improvements has led to many colonies being lost. Since 2005, there has been an upward trend in both range and abundance (Fox et al.). This may be due to increased recording effort rather than an improvement in the butterfly's status. The situation in Hertfordshire and Middlesex mirrors that nationwide. Some good colonies are thriving at Hexton Chalk Pit and Aldbury Nowers although numbers have dropped in the last few years. It was newly found at a brownfield site in central Hertfordshire in 2023 and spotted again in 2024.

UK Distribution map
UKBMS Species summary

Habitat Requirements

A wide range of habitats suit this butterfly including grassland, railway banks, roadside verges and woodland rides where its main larval foodplant Common Bird's-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus grows.

Larval Foodplants

Common Bird's-foot Trefoil L. corniculatus. Greater Bird-s-foot Trefoil L. pedunculatus and Horseshoe Vetch Hippocrepis comosa on the chalk may also sometimes be used (Sawford).

Adult Food Sources

Common Bird's-foot Trefoil L. corniculatus (89), Buttercup Ranunculus sp. (8).

Historical Records

Matthews saw the species at Norton Green Woods (Gibbs) and it is included in Foster's report of 1934. It was found east of Walkern on approach to St. John's Wood in around 1942 and in rough areas in the Walkern area in 1945 by Rev. Greenham (Birdsall). Waterton's 1970-81 report describes it as 'now much scarcer than in Foster's time, possibly due to loss of suitable habitat containing its food-plant bird-s-foot-trefoil'. There is a record of it in Graveley on 3 June 1957 (Sawford). In Sawford's 1984-86 survey, it was seen in the Benington district by Gladwin in each of the 3 years.

Local Distribution and Abundance

Only one record of the species since 1995: at Frogmore Gravel Pit on 28 May 2003 by Jeff Davies who quotes 'plenty of foodplant but long way from nearest colony' (Murray & Wood).

Life History

The butterfly is usually on the wing from the end of April until the middle of June with a peak around the third week of May. Eggs are laid at the base of the leaves of the foodplant. The larva on emergence forms a tent using several leaflets from within which they feed. When fully grown it creates a hibernaculum within which it hibernates. In the spring, the larva emerges to form a pupa in the hibernaculum.
More details on the UK Butterflies website

Behaviour/Observation notes

It usually flies close to the ground and is fond of basking on bare patches. However, it needs taller grasses to roost overnight. Due to its inconspicuousness because of its drab colouring the butterfly can easily be missed and therefore probably under-recorded. It can also be confused with the Burnet Companion moth which is similar and flies at around the same time in May and June.

Variations/Aberrations

Rare but unclassified variations include one where the insect's wings are tinged with white.
Find out more on the UK Butterflies website