Taxonomy
Erynnis tages | Dingy Skipper | Donnán
Pre 2017
2017 - 2021
Status
Conservation status
Ireland: Near Threatened (Regan et al., 2010)
Europe: Least Concern (van Swaay et al., 2010)
Climate risk category: Potential Climate Change Risk; present distribution in Europe can be explained by climate to only a limited extent (Settele et al., 2008)
Legal status
The Dingy Skipper is not afforded legal protection in Ireland.
Native status
Resident
Species Biology
Identification
Key identification features include:
- Small size, wingspan: 27 - 34 mm
- Dark grey/brown mottled colouration
- Distinctly clubbed antennae
Habitat
Generalist, found on unimproved dry calcareous grassland and limestone pavement. The adults fly rapidly and erratically close to the ground in sunny conditions; they also bask with opened wings and often land on bare ground, but rarely on flowers. In dull
weather and at night they rest on dead heads of Knapweed (Centauria spp.) or grass inflorescences where their cryptic colouration is very effective (Bond & Gittings, 2008).
Flight period
Univoltine: from May to July.
Life cycle
Eggs are laid on low herbs; laid on the upper surface near the base of a leaflet, or on the petiole at the junction of the larger leaflets. The larva feeds externally on the foliage of Bird's-foot Trefoil. It constructs a hibernaculum, usually on the foodplant when full-grown in mid-August, overwintering there and pupating in it about mid-April (Bond & Gittings, 2008).
Food plants
Specialist, the larvae feed exclusively on Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus).
Flowers visited
Generalist, adult nectar sources include: Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Bugle (Ajuga reptans), Buttercups (Ranunculus spp.), Hawkweeds (Hieracium/Hypochoeris), Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) and Vetches (Vicia spp.).
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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References
Publications
Bond, K.G.M. and Gittings, T. 2008. Database of Irish Lepidoptera. 1 - Macrohabitats, microsites and traits of Noctuidae and butterflies. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 35. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.
Regan, E.C., Nelson, B., Aldwell, B., Bertrand, C., Bond, K., Harding, J., Nash, D., Nixon, D. and Wilson, C.J. 2010. Ireland Red List No. 4 – Butterflies. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Ireland.
Settele, J., Kudrna, O., Harpke, A., Kühn, I., Van Swaay, C., Verovnik, R., Warren, M.S., Wiemers, M., Hanspach, J., Hickler, T. and Kühn, E. 2008. Climatic risk atlas of European butterflies. Sofia-Moscow: Pensoft.
Van Swaay, C., Cuttelod, A., Collins, S., Maes, D., López Munguira, M., Šašic, M., Settele, J., Verovnik, R., Verstrael, T., Warren, M., Wiemers, M. and Wynhof, I. 2010. European Red List of Butterflies. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.