Description

The European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) is a small, orange-brown butterfly with narrow black borders on its wings and antennae tipped with black, commonly found in grassy fields, meadows, and roadsides across North America and Europe. It was introduced from Europe more than 100 years ago and has spread quickly. In some areas, it is the most common skipper butterfly and some years can have huge eruptions in population.

Range

It is found throughout the state.

Similar Species

Similar to other orange skippers, but the whitish sheen below will easily differentiate it.

Host Plants

Timothy Grass (Phleum pratense) and probably other grasses.

Flight

Overwinters in chrysalis, and can emerge as early as March and can fly until October (depending on the weather)