The aptly named silver-spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus) has an iridescent silver patch on its lower forewings, easily seen against the deep red-brown of the rest of the wing. The Skipper family is recognizable for their fast, darting flight behavior, appearing as if they are skipping along in the sky. Their antennae also have a unique hook-like end. The Silver-spotted skipper showcases both of these characters and is quite common in our area.
Size
Medium: 1.75–2 inches (43–50 mm)
Active Periods
March–October, peak in July
Food Source
Beans, many plants in the legume family (Fabaceae) will host the larvae. Adults feed on the nectar of many different flowers.
Overwintering
It overwinters as a pupa, buried in the soil.
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Photo: Hannah Walton, Public Domain, iNaturalist
