Thymelicus lineola

English name:
Essex Skipper
Full scientific name:
Thymelicus lineola (Ochsenheimer, 1808)
Croatian name:
Smeđi debeloglavac

Red Book Category in EU: LC

Red Book Category in Croatia: NE

Wings span: 21-28mm

Thymelicus lineola, male, Velebit, 0721H0265
Thymelicus lineola, male, Velebit, 0721H0265
Thymelicus lineola, male, Velebit, 0721H0265
Thymelicus lineola, male, Velebit, 0721H0265
Thymelicus lineola, female, Velebit, 0722H5947
Thymelicus lineola, female, Velebit, 0722H5947
Thymelicus lineola, female, Velebit, 0722H5947
Thymelicus lineola, female, Velebit, 0722H5947

Flight Period and Life Cycle

Flight period of Essex Skipper in Croatia
Flight period of Thymelicus lineola in Croatia

1 brood per year. Overwinters as caterpillar.

Distribution in Croatia

Distribution of Thymelicus lineola in Croatia
Distribution of Thymelicus lineola in Croatia

The entire territory excluding the islands. Check the included map.

External Morphology Characteristics

Looking from the front (anterior view), the underside of antenna tip is dark brown or black. On the undersides of the forewing a dark area is visible from basal to the postdiscal zone. On the upper side of the forewing there is a dark edge, blurred towards the submarginal zone. The darkening gradually extends along the veins. It is thicker in the beginning and disappears towards the discal zone. Males have an andocronia line beginning from S1, with a break at V2 and then extends further but not reaching V3 on the upper side of the forewing.

Behavior

Often rests on the blades of grass. Imago feeds with the nectar of various flowers.

Caterpillar Host Plants

Grasses family (Poaceae).

Habitat

Warm meadows with grass, flowers and bushes. Elevations: 0-1500m.

Gallery

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