Thymelicus acteon (Rottemburg, 1775) Species
Last modified: Dec. 1, 2023, 6:56 p.m.
A very rare and local species in Belgium. Hitherto only known from the southern part of the country. Seems to have disappeared from several of the former locations. Vulnerable.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Hesperiidae > Subfamily: Hesperiinae > Genus: Thymelicus > Species: Thymelicus acteon
- Vernacular names
- Dwergdikkopje (NL), Lulworth Skipper (EN), Hespérie du chiendent (FR), Mattscheckiger Braundickkopffalter (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Sélys-Longchamps E. 1837. Catalogue des Lépidoptères ou Papillons de la Belgique, précédé du tableau des Libellulines de ce pays. — — : 1–29. On page 20 (as Hesperia Actaeon [sic]). view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
It is distinguished morphologically from the other two species of Thymelicus by its brown color and its very small size. Also characteristic is the arrangement of the pale and indistinct spots on the top of the forewings, grouped in an extended circle in the female.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Flight periods
The adults fly in one generation a year; in the south of Europe it can already be on the wing from April on, in Belgium however mostly from July to halfway August.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Brachypodium pinnatum
The larva lives on several species of Gramineae like Brachypodium, Calamagrostis and Elymus. Hibernates as a small larva in a cocoon attached to the food plant.
