Friday, 3 September, 2010 homebutterfliesmothseventspressrecordingprojectsreservemembershipmagazinedownloadaboutcontactlinks Butterflies of Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Large Skipper Ochlodes venata The Large Skipper can be seen from the end of May until mid August although numbers drop dramatically during the first week in August. Males are usually found perching in a prominent position in full sunshine on a large leaf awaiting females to pass by. The Male Large Skipper is easily identified due to the dark diagonal line (sex brand) on each of the forewings. Females lack this line but generally show a clear chequered pattern on their wings. Larval Food plants Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) Purple Moor-grass (Molinia caerulea) False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum) Habitat Requirements This butterfly is most commonly found in grassy areas where the larvae foodplants grow and remain tall and uncut. A wide variety of habitats are using including disused railway lines, road verges, clearings and urban sites such as churchyards, parks and gardens. Warwickshire Status Resident Where to see the Large Skipper Other Species Please select an alternative species from the list below. Bath White Black Hairstreak Black-veined White Brimstone Brown Argus Brown Hairstreak Camberwell Beauty Chalkhill Blue Chequered Skipper Clouded Yellow Comma Common Blue Dappled White Dark Green Fritillary Dingy Skipper Duke of Burgundy Essex Skipper Gatekeeper Geranium Bronze Green Hairstreak Green-veined White Grizzled Skipper High Brown Fritillary Holly Blue Large Skipper Large Tortoiseshell Large White Long-tailed Blue Map Marbled White Marsh Fritillary Mazarine Blue Meadow Brown Orange-tip Painted Lady Pale Clouded Yellow Peacock Pearl-bordered Fritillary Purple Emperor Purple Hairstreak Red Admiral Ringlet Silver-studded Blue Silver-washed Fritillary Small Blue Small Copper Small Heath Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Small Skipper Small Tortoiseshell Small White Speckled Wood Swallowtail Wall Brown White Admiral White-letter Hairstreak Wood White © Steven Cheshire - Female First Sightings First sighting dates are based on records of Large Skipper submitted online. Please note that these dates are not updated retrospectively to include records submitted to the branch recorder in other forms. 21/05/2010 - Southam Quarry 24/05/2009 - Ryton Wood Meadows 29/05/2008 - Southam Quarry 02/06/2007 - Baddesley Ensor © John Carter - Male   © John Carter - Slightly worn Female Adult Flight Times The flight chart below is based on observations of the adult Large Skipper in Warwickshire between 2005 and 2008. Peak periods are shown in dark green. Warwickshire Distribution Maps base on Vice County (CV38) which includes Coventry and Solihull Distribution of the Large Skipper during the indicated period. Key to Warwickshire Maps: sightings 12-910+       2007 Distribution Data (1yr)   2008 available soon   2009 Distribution Data (1yr)   2000-09 Distribution Data (10yr) © Butterfly Conservation WarwickshirePrivacy and Copyright Statement Butterfly Conservation is a non-profit-making company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468) Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268)   Web site designed and maintained by Steven Cheshire