Silver-spotted skipper  (Hesperia comma)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

The rare silver-spotted skipper is found across Europe and throughout temperate Asia. In Britain it is restricted to chalk downland in southern England following a substantial decline which resulted in its extinction in Yorkshire, the Cotswolds, the northern parts of the Chilterns and much of the North Downs (4).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

Breeds on warm, south facing slopes in open chalk grassland with short turf and patches of bare soil. The presence of the larval foodplant, sheep's-fescue (Festuca ovina), is essential (4).

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