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Butterfly Survey 1976-2020
Grizzled Skipper Thymelcius sylvestris
Small butterfly: wingspan 25mm
On the Downs around Eynsford and Shoreham this butterfly became very common after the great 1987 and 1990 storms, where an abundance of wild strawberry sprang up on the denuded hillsides, more recently it has declined in all areas recorded.
Habit: Flies very quickly in darting flight, but rests frequently, slowly opening its wings to bask. Often found in company, though emerging earlier, with the Dingy Skipper, or can be confused with the mother shipton moth.
Single brooded - (occasionally partial second brood in August). Overwinters as a pupa.
Larval foodplant: wild strawberry.
Status: not under threat. Gained a much greater presence after the great 1987/1990 storms - peaking in 1994 - represented, but slowly declining in Shoreham, Otford and Eynsford and surrounding downland - also in the cleared areas at High Elms.
WH - White Hill Shoreham, BC - Bromley Common, Ha Hayes --BN Bromley North - Ey Eynsford - Orp Orpington Lull Lullingstone HE High Elms
© Rodney Compton