Large Skipper
(Ochlodes sylvanus) Esper (1777) Skippers (Hesperiidae) LASK 24741
Stor Bredpande (dk)Dorada Difusa (es)Ängssmygare (se) Synonyms: Stor Ängssmygare (se) Almindelig Bredpande (dk)
Measurements:
WS: 26-34mm
Generations:
1
Flight period:
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
SE
Identification:
The largest of the orange skippers in Denmark. The male has an even more pronounced line of scent-scales on the forewing upperside than the smaller Thymelicus species.
The females is larger than the male and shows black tips to the antennas compared to the orange dittos of the male.
Both sexes show diffuse pale spots on the distal half of all four wings, on both sides.
Kommabredpande (Hesperia comma) [Silver-spotted Skipper ~ Silversmygare] which it resembles the most has well-marked whitish spots on both upper- and underside of both wings. Between the two females Stor Bredpande shows a gray-yellow marginal edge and Kommanbredpande a gray-white (not sure how reliable this character is). And Kommabredpande flies a month later.
Similar species:
Life stages:
Distribution:
Europe and east to China and Japan.
Habitat:
Fresh and damp meadows, forest clearings and edges, roadsides. Preferring tall vegetation.
Behavior:
Males defend territories vigorously against all types of intruders.
Status:
Common in most of Denmark but absent from Bornholm.
♂
Typical male with the diagonal black streak on the front wing (sex brand). Plus the pale spots distally on the front wing is a good indication of this species. On Horse-tidsel (Cirsium vulgare).
One of the most common butterflies in Pinseskoven.
♀
Pinseskoven. Female by the lack of a prominent black streak on the forewing and by the all dark tips to the antennas, the clubs - not orangy as the male has them.
Imago ♂
An individual without the pale spots on the wings that are normally common for the species. Apparently this is not uncommon early in the flying period; with wear they will stand out more conspicuously.
Imago ♂
An individual without the pale spots on the wings that are normally common for the species. Apparently this is not uncommon early in the flying period; with wear they will stand out more conspicuously.