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Thymelicus sylvestris


A family of butterflies known as Skippers. These are small to medium sized butterflies that are rarely larger the 2 inches in size. They have a large body  and head with prominent eyes. The triangular fore-wings have a black stripe of raised scent scales in the male. The legs, of both males and females, are fully developed and are usually spined.


This family of butterflies has a large number of genera and species in Tropical America, and also in the Old World Tropics. However, there are relatively few in  Europe, the Lycaenidae being the dominate family.


These butterflies tend to make short, swift, jerky flights which gives rise to their common English name of 'Skippers'.