Identifying features
Wingspan is 22-28 mm. The uppersides, with a base colour of amber yellow, have dark borders, and for males, also a curved and elongated dark stripe on the forewing (the scent mark stripe).
Similar species
Small skipper can be very easily confused with essex skipper, but the underside of the antennae on the latter is black-brown, in contrast to small skipper, which is orange-light. This is only a 95% reliable indicator, as there are forms of essex skipper females with an orange spot on the underside of the antennae.
Distribution
Throughout areas to the west of Storebælt. To the east of Storebælt, only two relatively secure findings have been made – however, these should be taken with a grain of salt, as essex skipper females can resemble small skipper.
Biology
When the butterfly is not flying around searching for food in the form of flower nectar, it often sits in prominent locations, such as on blades of grass or flowers.