Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages tages

Sexes appear similar.
Sexes appear similar.

Dingy with wings partly rolled.
Dingy with wings partly rolled.
Characteristic roosting posture on dead seed heads
Characteristic roosting posture on dead seed heads
Underside
Underside
Pair mating
Pair mating
Often found on the same sites as Grizzled Skipper
Often found on the same sites as Grizzled Skipper
 
Information

Red List status: Least Concern
NERC Act S41: Species of Principal Importance
Local status: Uncommon and local, though seemingly increasing its range and abundance.
Lives in small colonies that are vulnerable to extinction.
Size: Small.
Larval foodplant: Common Bird's-foot trefoil is the usual foodplant. May use Horseshoe Vetch or Greater Bird's-foot trefoil.
No. of broods: Usually one. A partial second brood may rarely occur in July/August
Flight time(s): Late April to early July
Average first date: 28th April
Average last date: 4th July
Winter: Fully-grown larva hibernates in tent of sown-together leaves. Pupates in the spring without further feeding.
Habits: Basks on bare ground.
Flies only when sunny.
Fast and low flying, difficult to follow.
Roosts with wings bent around vegetation in a unique manner.
Habitats: Chalk downland,
brown-field sites,
clay pits,
unimproved grassland.
Distribution: