Description: Wingspan 27-34mm. Males and females are similar. The upperside of both wings are dull brown and grey and lack prominent markings. There is a row of small white dots along the side margins. May and June. Only a single generation is known in Ireland.

World Distribution: Europe from Spain and the Mediterranean northwards into southern Scandinavia and eastwards into much of Siberia and China.

Irish Distribution: A scarce and local species in N. Ireland confined to about 25 sites in west and north Fermanagh.

Ecology: Colonies of Dingy Skipper are found in short, unimproved grassland where its foodplant Bird's-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus is common. In Fermanagh colonies exist on limestone hills and roadside verges where the vegetation is sparse and there are patches of bare ground. The adults bask frequently on vegetation and bare ground. They have a fast and direct flight. The larvae feed on the leaves of the foodplant. The larvae hibernate when fully grown and pupate in early spring.

Key Identification Features:

• Small size
• Drab grey and brown colour

Distribution Map from NBN: Erynnis tages at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Erynnis tages at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.