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Aerial Maps of butterfly survey
Butterfly Survey 1976-2015
Large Skipper Ochlodes venata
female
Wingspan - 33mm
This was a locally common butterfly on the hillsides and lanes around Eynsford and Shoreham and still can be found on rough ground throughout the Borough of Bromley and beyond, but in smaller and less dense populations. It is on the wing in June and flies low among rough uncultivated grasses and briars. It flies quickly with a whirring (mothlike) movement coming to rest frequently with both sets of wings set at different angles (as a flight on a dart). The dates - right are for comparison, showing how little relative advancement in emergence this butterfly has experienced despite climate change.
Field notes: Male and female differ in density of scent scales. Gaps in recorded years are not significant to this species
Single brooded. Pale green larvae over-winters in fully grown form on grass foodplant.
Larval Foodplant: Cocks foot grass and others
Status: not under threat, though declining as with other butterflies in our area
WH - White Hill SH Shoreham, BC - Bromley Common, Ha Hayes --BN Bromley North - Ey Eynsford - Orp Orpington Lull Lullingstone HE High Elms
© Rodney Compton
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