silver-spotted skipper
(Epargyreus clarus)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
The pattern of pale spots on the upperside of the forewing is unique. There is a large silver spot in the middle of the hindwing underside that is noticeable in flight. |
Size |
Total length: 1⅛″ Wingspan: 1¾″ to 2⅝″ |
Similar Species |
Habitat |
Open areas and woodland borders |
Biology |
Season |
One brood, mid-May to late September |
Behavior |
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Life Cycle |
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Larva Hosts |
Black locust, honey locust, leadplant, desert false indigo, dwarf false indigo, wild licorice, and other legumes. |
Adult Food |
Nectar of blue, red, pink, purple, and sometimes white and cream-colored flowers, but not yellow flowers. |
Distribution |
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| 2/2/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Taxonomy |
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Order |
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Superfamily |
Papilionoidea (butterflies) |
Family |
Hesperiidae (skippers) |
Subfamily |
Eudaminae (dicot skippers) |
Tribe |
Eudamini |
Subtribe |
Eudamina |
Genus |
Epargyreus |
Skippers have traditionally been placed in their own superfamily Hesperioidea because of their morphological similarity. Recent phylogenetic analysis (Kawahara and Breinholt [2014]) suggests that they share the same common ancestor as other butterfly families, and thus belong in the superfamily, Papilionoidea. |
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Subordinate Taxa |
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Arizona silver-spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus huachuca) Eastern silver-spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus clarus) Nevada silver-spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus profugus) Pacific silver-spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus californicus) |
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Synonyms |
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Bibasis argenteola Epargyreus argentosus Epargyreus obliteratus Epargyreus smythi Papilio clarus Papilio tityrus |
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Common Names |
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silverspotted skipper silver-spotted skipper |
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Visitor Photos |
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Nancy Falkum |
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Alfredo Colon |
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Margot Avey |
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Mike Poeppe |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
Epargyreus clarus (Silver-spotted Skipper) |
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Silver-spotted Skipper |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) nectaring on Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) |
About
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! |
Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) nectaring on New York Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) |
About
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 |
Silver-spotted Skipper |
About
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. |
The Butterfly Game - how to handle wild butterflies |
About
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: To use this video in a commercial player, advertising or in broadcasts, please email Viral Spiral: contact@viralspiralgroup.com |
Visitor Sightings |
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Nancy Falkum |
Location: Oronoco Prairie SNA |
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Terry O'Brien |
Location: Suomi, Itasca County |
| Alfredo Colon 8/19/2022 |
Location: Albany, NY |
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| Mike Poeppe 7/11/2021 |
Location: Houston County, MN |
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| Margot Avey 6/22/2021 |
Location:Lake Harriet Trial Gardens in Minneapolis |
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| Alfredo Colon August 2019 |
Location: Slinger, Wisconsin |
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| Margot Avey 8/20/2020 |
Location: Noerenberg Memorial Gardens - Three Rivers Park District, Crystal Bay, Lake Minnetonka MN |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 3/26/2014 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |