Lulworth skipper their greatest since its discovery there. With a wingspan of 24 to 28 millimetres, females being larger than males, the Lulworth skipper is a small butterfly, the smallest member of the genus "Thymelicus" in Europe and among the smallest butterflies in Britain. Aside from the size difference, the sexes are distinguished by females having a distinct circle of golden marks on each forewing. Due to their likeness to the rays around the eye of a peacock's feather, these are often known as "sun-ray" markings, and they can faintly appear on males. The Lulworth skipper was first described by German entomologist
Lulworth Cove made a gap in the Portland and Purbeck limestone here, as well as a small arch. The sea has made its way through to the Wealdon clays and begun eroding them. The clay shows obvious signs of slumping, and is eroding very rapidly. Stair Hole shows one of the best examples of limestone folding in the world, caused by movements in the Earth's crust tectonics millions of years ago. Folding can also be seen at nearby Durdle Door and at Lulworth cove itself. Lulworth Cove Lulworth Cove is a cove near the village of West Lulworth, on the Jurassic Coast