Insect · GBIF taxon 1947915
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarusSilver-spotted skippers dart swiftly through sunny fields and gardens, readily recognized by the bright silver-white patch flashing under their dark brownish hindwings. Female skippers lay distinct green eggs onto host plants in the pea family, where caterpillars construct protective leaf shelters tied together with silk. Adults actively defend sunny perches against intruding insects while feeding on nectar from milkweeds, thistles, and garden blossoms.
ButterflyPollinatorFast-Flying
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Nectar from milkweed and thistles
- Black locust foliage
- American wisteria foliage
Predators
- Birds
- Praying Mantises
- Spiders
ThreatsPesticide spraying, loss of host plants, and intense land development.
HabitatsFields, meadows, gardens, forest edges, and sunny riverbanks.
Life span1 to 2 months as adults; up to 1 year including winter chrysalis phase.
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyHesperiidae
- GenusEpargyreus
- SpeciesEpargyreus clarus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Host Plant Spotting: Search black locust trees for folded leaf shelters stitched together with silk.
- Gentle Approach: Move slowly when skippers rest on red or purple flowers, as they fly rapidly when startled.
Host Plant Pollinator at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Nectar Source (c) Randy Nonenmacher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Brandon Gilford, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Brandon Gilford · cc-by
Close Relative Jerry A. Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org / Public domain · cc0
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