Lulworth Skipper

Thymelicus acteon

Common along the coastline between Weymouth & Bournemouth on the Jurassic Coast of Dorset.

The Larvae feeds on Tor-grass.

Of Britain's five "golden" skippers—the others being the Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma), Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) and Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)—the Lulworth is both the smallest and darkest.

Beyond its small size, it is distinguished particularly by its dark, dun-coloured wings that appear with tinges of olive-brown; this darkening especially apparent in Males.

Flight period is from June-August.