Identification Please

Yesterday while out walking I came across the following moth(?) which was fluttering much like a dragon fly.

After a brief chase it landed and I noticed it has a peculiar wing layout.
[IMG]http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/Frogherder/IMGP9191.jpg[/IMG]

Has anyone any idea what it is as I can't find it in any books that I have

regards
Bernard

It's a Skipper moth.

Wonderful, Thanks Charlotte.


Are they rare (UK Midlands) or am I just not very observant?

regards
Bernard

maybe a large skipper butterfly, or not?

I would agree with Charlotte, however although skippers appear to be moths, they are diurnal, unlike Moths which are nocturnal. Skippers come from a third group which are related to both butterflies and moths. Skippers, like moths and butterflies, are found worldwide.

Paul

Thanks, I'll go with skipper and retire shamefaced at having to ask.

Having no memory of having ever seen one before I think I need to improve my observational skills and get a better 'bug' book.

regards
Bernard

Paul, you are mistaken in saying moths are Nocturnal. Whilst many of them are, there are also many day flying moths.


Bernard, You've already got access to one of the best bug books!
There are some very good web sites for identifying such species www.butterfly-conservation.org is one such - that confirms this as a Skipper, but I'm not sure if I could identify which one from just this photo.

The ones I saw last weekend were little skippers, although the Essex skipper is fairly similar & I saw them in Essex...

Mike,

You are of course right and If I confused anyone then my apologies. Also I should have pointed out that many 'Day' flying Moths fly both in the Day and at Night.

Night Flying Moths can also fly by day, but generally only when disturbed.

- Skippers are a law unto themselves I'm afraid.

They are a member of the order Lepidoptera but don't fit into the categories of butterfly and moth. Some butterflies have moth-like qualities and some moths are like butterflies. Skippers have stocky bodies like moths do, but they also have the clubbed antennae of butterflies (which moths don't have), usually with a little bend at the end like it's cocking a wink at you. Skippers fly during the day (as has been pointed out other 'moths' do also), but they tend to have duller colouring of moths rather than butterflies. But, Skippers hold their wings at an angle all their own, which is unlike butterflies or moths, they keep their forewings separate from the hindwings as you can see from the above photo.

All interesting stuff eh ?

Nice capture too

More interesting info, Cheers Charlotte

Paul

Thanks all, as TT says 'let the education continue'

I must admit butterflies are no where near as prolific as when I were a lad. I've seen very few this year and so far only 1 cabbage white, which I suppose is a mixed blessing.

Being a keen gardner I'm dubious about encouraging them into the garden as a month later I find their offsprings have eaten my cabbages, gooseberry leaves............ and if I kill the caterpillars then there are no butterflies

regards
Bernard