ExploreInsects

Silver-spotted Skipper

Epargyreus clarus

The Silver-spotted Skipper is a small butterfly with beautiful orange and brown wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often seen in sunny places during the summer.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Silver-spotted Skipper has a sturdy brown body with large, dark brown wings featuring bright orange-gold patches on the forewings. Its most distinctive mark is a large, square, iridescent silver spot on the underside of each hindwing. This silver spot helps distinguish it from other skippers.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyHesperiidaeGenusEpargyreus
Silver-spotted Skipper
spotted trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Silver-spotted Skipper

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult skippers spend winter tucked away as caterpillars or pupae, waiting for spring.

Baby Silver-spotted Skippers build tiny leaf tents to stay hidden from hungry birds.

Its flight pattern looks like it's "skipping" through the air, giving it its name!

They use their strong front legs to hold onto flowers while sipping nectar.

Special abilities

Ability

Lightning Leap

Silver-spotted Skippers can fly incredibly fast and erratically because of powerful wing muscles, helping them dodge predators.

Ability

Nectar Straw

Silver-spotted Skippers have a long, tube-like proboscis that helps them reach deep nectar from many flowers.

Ability

Leaf Roll Home

Caterpillars of the Silver-spotted Skipper can roll a leaf into a shelter, using silk to hide and eat safely.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
35-50 mm
Size
15-20 mm
Lifespan
10-14 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip sweet flower nectar, while their caterpillar babies munch on various plant leaves.

Age differences: Adults drink nectar, while caterpillars munch on leaves.

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • black locust leaves
  • wisteria leaves
  • clover leaves

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Butterflies are friendly and safe to watch, but don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Silver-spotted Skipper's wingspan?

35-50 mm

How big is Silver-spotted Skipper?

15-20 mm

How long does Silver-spotted Skipper live?

10-14 days

How fast can Silver-spotted Skipper fly?

15 km/h

What does Silver-spotted Skipper eat?

Adults sip sweet flower nectar, while their caterpillar babies munch on various plant leaves.

Where is Silver-spotted Skipper usually found?

Grasslands

How does Silver-spotted Skipper hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Silver-spotted Skipper have?

6

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