Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) – Devon, UK
Canon 7D
Canon 300mm F4 IS plus 1.4 x Extender and Canon Extension Tube EF 25 II
1/80
F13
ISO 250
Tripod
AV Mode, Evaluative Metering dialed to -1
Fill Flash dialed -3
Text adapted from – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Skipper
Eggs are laid loosely inside grass sheathes of the caterpillars foodplants from July to August. The newly hatched caterpillars eat their own eggshell before entering hibernation individually in a protective cocoon of a grass sheath sealed with silk. In the spring the caterpiller begins feeding. The favoured food plant is Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus, although other recorded foodplants include Timothy Phleum pratense, Creeping Soft Grass Holcus mollis, False Brome Brachypodium sylvaticum, Meadow Foxtail Alopecurus pratensis and Cock’s foot Dactylis glomerata. The caterpillars pupate near the base of the foodplant in June with the first adults on the wing at the end of June, a week or two before the first Essex Skippers.They are strongly attracted to purple flowers such as Thistles and Knapweeds
Ref: Small Skipper
Location: Devon_UK