Silver-spotted Skipper (NPS Catoctin Mountain Park Butterflies and Moths)

Silver-spotted Skipper

Epargyreus clarus

Summary ⁵

The Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is claimed to be the most recognized skipper in North America.

Habitat ⁶

River valleys and badlands in the prairie and parkland region.

Life cycle ⁷

There is one yearly brood, and mature larvae are green with black bands and a dark brown head. Larvae construct shelters out of the host plant leaves, at first cutting and folding part of the leaf over them, but tying several leaves together as larvae grow larger (McCabe & Post 1977). Pupae hibernate in leaf nests near the ground, often on the foodplant itself (Layberry et al. 1998). The egg is greenish and round. Males are aggressive fliers, and often chase one another (Bird et al. 1995). The Silver-spotted skipper is uncommon in Alberta, and occurs in local colonies.

Sources and Credits

(c) MolanicPix, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by MolanicPix, https://picasaweb.google.com/MolanicPix/2014_08#6046335482778072146
(c) Mary Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/4561375827_acb59b7120.jpg
(c) Darrin OBrien, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2370/2595516733_b67dab1acf.jpg
(c) Matt Muir, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://lh6.ggpht.com/_APoyZbYBXLs/Tdj-EJbZeUI/AAAAAAAAAvo/twNqyFEx56w/s1024/P1060309.jpg
(c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epargyreus_clarus
(c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31884912
(c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31884913

More Info

Range Map

iNat Map

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