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| Silver-spotted Skipper |
Latin
Name: Epargyreus clarus |
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Genus: Epargyreus Species: clarus |
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Comments: |
| The Silver-spotted Skipper is a large, robust butterfly with a rapid, darting flight. It is a common garden visitor. They have a long proboscis and can easily gain access to nectar from a variety of flowers. Males perch on shrubs or overhanging branches and aggressively investigate passersby. The colorful larvae construct individual shelters on the host by tying one or more leaves together with silk. |
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Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
multiple generations |
Egg: |
green, laid singly on host leaves |
Larva: |
yellow-green with dark bands and reddish brown head |
Host Plants: |
wide variety of Fabaceous plants including wisteria, False Indigo, Kudzu, Butterfly Pea and beggarweeds |
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Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
wide variety of Fabaceous plants including wisteria, False Indigo, Kudzu, Butterfly Pea and beggarweeds |
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Habitat: |
Habitat: |
forest edges, open woodlands, roadsides, utility easements, old fields and gardens |
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Wingspan: |
Inches: |
1.75 - 2.4 |
Centimeters: |
4.4 - 6.1 |
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Appearance: |
Sexes: |
similar |
Compare: |
Hoary is smaller and has marginal white ventral hindwing patch. |
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| Markings: |
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Above:
- brown with median row of gold spots on forewing and checkered wing fringe; hindwing is tapered into small, rounded tail
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Below:
- brown; forewing as above; hindwing has distinct, elongated silver-white patch in center
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Abundance: |
occasional to common |
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Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
