Thymelicus lineola (Ochsenheimer, 1808)  
Essex Skipper, Schwarzkolbiger Braun-Dickkopffalter, Hesperie du dactyle, Толстоголовка тире. 

Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: 
The species is occurs throughout much of the Palearctic region. Its range is from southern Scandinavia through Europe to North Africa and east to Central Asia. It was only identified in the UK in 1889, and its range is expanding both in England and in northern Europe. In North America, this butterfly was accidentally introduced in 1910 via London, Ontario and has spread across southern Canada and into several northern US states. Armenia is inhabited by nominate subspecies . Unlike the similar species – T. sylvestris, the Essex Skipper appears to be more demanding towards habitat’s conditions. Thus, it mostly occupies wet meadows, and although it occurs also in deciduous forests, buy in prominently lesser number. The elevation range of the species, thus lays between 1200 and 2400 m a.s.l. The range of host-plants is also narrower than the one of T. sylvestris - Agropyron sp. and Elytrigia sp. The species are on wing from late June till end of August, in one generation per annum. 

Population dynamics:
Based on the captured individuals, it is possible to conclude that there are some patches, where the species is quite common, however in most of its distribution range, its density can be characterized as uncommon. Existence of the confusing species – T. sylvestris – in the same habitats, makes its visual count very complicated and doesn’t allow computation of the population trend. It seems that the population density has not declined, however that opinion might be biased. 

Conservation measures: 
Conditionally, the species could be assessed as Least Concern, however it is essential to set up the species’ monitoring. At current the species is protected in number of Protected Areas, Emerald Sites, and Prime Butterfly Areas. It was assessed as Least Concern in European Red List, but has no status in IUCN and Armenian ones, as well as not included in Cites and Bern Conventions.

Photo: C.R. Pape