Small skipper Small skipper The small skipper ("Thymelicus sylvestris") is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It has a rusty orange colour to the wings, upper body and the tips of the antennae. The body is silvery white below and it has a wingspan of 25–30 mm. This butterfly is very similar in appearance to the Essex skipper ("Thymelicus lineola"). In the small skipper, the undersides of the tips of the antennae are yellow orange, whereas they are black in the Essex skipper. The black area on the lower edge of the upper wings also differs. Like the other orange grass skippers
Alpine grizzled skipper spring. Although some populations of Alpine grizzled skipper are in decline (especially in Austria) the IUCN lists the species as being of "least concern" as there are no identifiable threats to it at a continent-wide level. Alpine grizzled skipper The Alpine grizzled skipper ("Pyrgus andromedae") is a species of skipper (family Hesperiidae). This species is found up to fairly high altitudes in the Alps and Pyrenees and also at lower elevations in northern Scandinavia, where its range extends well into the Arctic Circle. It prefers damp habitats and is often found near to water. This is a medium-sized "Pyrgus" skipper