Ochlodes sylvanus is a relatively small butterfly, not much larger than the Small or Essex skippers. Their body is quite compact. The antennae have hooked tips. The dorsal side of the wings is orangish brown with brown borders and some lighter spots. The ventral side of the hindwings is greenish yellow, marked with a few yellow spots. The male has a broad scented androconial dark line across the dorsal side of the forewings. The hindwings of the femalee have brighter square marks. When the wings have opened, the forewings are obliquely folded, hiding the hindwings.The faint chequered pattern on both the dorsal and ventral sides, and the hook shaped antenna tips, distinguish the large skipper from the two orange skippers. The Lulworth skipper also has patterned wings, but does not have the hooked antennae. The Woodland Skippers can be differentiated from the other tawny, late flying skippers, by their smaller size (roughly 2/3 the size of Sachem or Juba Skippers). stubbier wings, and larger, more square ventral forewing spots, which are also more defined than those of the Sachem, and, with less contrast to ground colors than the Juba Skippers. 
   In northern Europe these butterflies have a single brood, but in the south they can have up to three.
   Pupation lasts about three weeks during May and June and the adults are present from June to August.
   They are the first of the grass skippers to emerge in the UK. They are active butterflies in sunny weather, attracted to various flowers but with a distinct liking for Bramble flowers.
   On hatching the larvae build shelters in the typical skipper method of curling a leaf up with silk, and then begin to feed.
   They hibernate as a half-grown caterpillars and emerge in the spring to continue feeding and growing.
   They can be found anywhere wild grasses are allowed to grow tall. Hedgerows, woodland clearings and edges are preferred.