silver-spotted skipper

Published on Aug 25, 2013

Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) nectaring on Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), Transylvania County, NC. Shot 8/23/13

Music: "Flutter by Butterfly" by Josh Woodward (http://www.joshwoodward.com/). Seemed appropriate!

Published on Aug 25, 2013

Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) nectaring on New York Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis). Transylvania County, NC. Shot 8/23/13. Music: Flutter by butterfly" @ Joshwoodward.com

Published on Jul 23, 2013

Although there appear to be far fewer Lepidoptera on the wing this year, as compared to last year's extraordinary numbers, one frequent garden visitor to gardens this summer is the Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus). Like butterflies and moths, skippers are members of the Order Lepidoptera and, like all Lepidoptera, they are distinguished from other insects by their scaled wings.

Skippers are characterized by, and named by, a darting (skipping) flight pattern. Skippers are also easy to identify from butterflies and moths by their antennae clubs that are hooked backward, like to a crochet hook.

The Silver-spotted Skipper caterpillars feed on members of the legume family, including Black Locust, Honey Locust, Hog Peanut, ticktrefoils (Desmodium) and False Indigo (Amorpha fruticosa).

Notice the white sploges on the skipper's under wing. The sploges resemble bird poop and are thought to be an evolutionary defense against predatory birds.

Uploaded on Oct 18, 2010

Handling wild Silver-Spotted Skippers (Epargyreus clarus). Footage of technique and them playing games, landing on my head, etc.

How to handle bumble bees:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GmlT6OIJAU

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