Ochlodes sylvanus

Skippers - Hesperiidae:

Large skipper -
Ochlodes sylvanus (Esper, 1777)

Synonyms: venata sensu auct., faunus Turati

Large skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus), male. (Photo © Leif Aarvik )
Click here for photo of the female.

Characteristics: Wingspan 26-34 mm. The ground colour of the wings is yellowish brown. Large parts of the wing surface, especially near the margins, have a brownish grey dusting, making the ground colour appear as bright spots or squares. The male has a black stigma towards the apex on the fore wing.
The Large skipper looks like the Silver spotted skipper (Hesperia comma), but it lacks the shiny white spots on the underside of the hind wing of the latter. Here you will find a photo of the underside of the Silver spotted skipper.

Occurrence in Norway: Common in southern Norway south of Dovre. In the western regions it can be found up to Sunnmøre.

Total range: Europe except the more northern areas. Its range eastwards is uncertain due to confusion with closely related species.

Habitat: Meadows, forest clearing, and roadsides.

Biology: The larva feeds on various grass species, for instance meadow-grass (Poa)and fescue (Festuca). It is green with a yellow lateral line and measures about 25-30 mm before it hibernates. The flight time is from early June to late August. When basking in the sun, the hind wings are held flat and the fore wings above the body.

The species sheet has been elaborated by Claus Christiansen & Leif Aarvik. Translated by Gunvor Varland.

A species sheet in "Lepidoptera of Norway" (NORGES SOMMERFUGLER)

Last updated: 24.10.2000