Silver Spotted Skipper

The silver-spotted skipper butterfly is a species known as Epargyreus clarus, commonly found in North and South America. It belongs to the family Hesperiidae, which is the largest butterfly family in terms of species diversity.

Here are some key features and characteristics of the silver-spotted skipper butterfly:

Appearance: The silver-spotted skipper has a relatively large wingspan, typically ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 inches (3.8 to 6.4 cm). The upper side of its wings is dark brown, while the underside is lighter brown, with subtle spots and patterns.

Silver Spots: The name "silver-spotted" comes from the prominent, silvery-white spots located on the underside of the hindwings. These spots are easily visible when the butterfly is in flight or resting with its wings closed.

Flight Pattern: Skippers are known for their rapid and darting flight patterns, which give them their common name. They often appear to skip or hop from one flower to another.

Habitat: Silver-spotted skippers can be found in a variety of habitats, including open woodlands, meadows, gardens, and along roadsides. They are particularly attracted to flowers and can often be seen feeding on nectar from a variety of plants.

Life Cycle: Like other butterflies, silver-spotted skippers undergo a complete metamorphosis, transitioning through four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult butterfly. The caterpillars are green with a brown head capsule and feed on various legumes, including locust trees and other plants in the pea family.

Range: Silver-spotted skippers are native to a large part of North America, including the United States and parts of southern Canada. They are also found in some regions of Central and South America.

Behavior: These butterflies are generally active during the daytime and are more commonly seen flying in sunny weather. They tend to be more solitary compared to some other butterfly species.