The smallest and darkest of the 'golden' Skippers, the upperwings are dun or olive-brown, dusted with gold, with black margins. The female is lighter and has a distinct circle of gold rays on the upperside of each forewing, faintly visible on some males which also have a black scent bar across each forewing. The underwings of both male and female are uniformly straw coloured.

The female Lulworth Skipper is distinguished from Large Skippers by the 'peacock's feather' of gold marks, its much smaller size, and plain underwings. The male is smaller and darker than the Small Skipper and the underside of each antenna is cream coloured.

Dimensions:
Adult wingspan: 24-28mm.

National:
The range of this skipper is restricted to the coastal grassland and downland of Dorset.

At Durlston:
The species is restricted to grasslands along the coastal fringe of the Park and is common along the stretch of Round Down to the Gully and east to Durlston Head. It is not found inland beyond the area of maritime slopes and the Gully. Occasional stragglers are seen along the back fields and hedgerows, but their occurrence usually coincides with strong onshore winds.

Its apparent sole foodplant is Tor Grass Brachypodium pinnatum in whose flower sheaths the eggs are laid. As with Small Skipper the larvae enter hibernation soon after hatching and only become active the following spring. They finally pupate within the tussocks of the foodplant. The adult is on the wing from late June to late September.