Small Skipper Butterfly (see below for Essex Skipper) Thymelicus sylvestris
The Small Skipper butterfly is slightly smaller than the Large Skipper. They are often found together as both like long grassland and meadows.
The Small Skipper's antenna tips are black on top and orange underneath.
From the underside, it has a small buff triangle usually visible on the corner of its forewing.
It is native to grassland of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The dark edges of the hindwings
of the skipper above right are the male's scent marks.
Essex Skipper Butterfly Thymelicus lineola
Of similar size and appearance to the Small Skipper and often together, the Essex Skipper does not have the buff triangle
and has wholly black tips to its antennae.
It is native to grassland of Europe, North Africa and western Asia through to Central Asia.
The dark edges of the hindwings on the skipper above are the male's scent marks.
Small skipper (orange underside antenna tips) flying in to Essex skipper (black underside antenna tips).
Links:
Large Skipper
Silver-spotted Skipper