Insect · GBIF taxon 1947915
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarusAlso known as Silver Spotted Skipper
Silver-spotted skippers fly with a rapid, darting motion across sunny meadows, gardens, and forest margins. Adult females fold and silk together leaves of leguminous plants to construct protective shelters for their green, big-headed caterpillars. Easily recognized by the brilliant metallic silver patch beneath each hindwing, these robust butterflies aggressively defend prime nectar sites throughout the summer.
Fast FlierDiurnalPollinator
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Flower Nectar
- Black Locust Foliage
- Mineral Salts
Predators
- Birds
- Spiders
- Praying Mantises
ThreatsHabitat loss, widespread pesticide application
HabitatsFields, gardens, forest edges, meadows
Life span1–2 months as adults (up to 1 year total)
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
- Spotting: Search sunny glades and gardens during warm mid-day hours when adults actively visit blossoms.
- Garden Plants: Plant host trees like black locust and preferred nectar sources such as zinnias or milkweed.
- Observation: Approach slowly while an adult is feeding on flowers, as their sudden flight is extremely fast.
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
Host Plant (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Jerry A. Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative (c) Brandon Gilford, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Brandon Gilford · cc-by
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Mystic Meadows
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