Species Epargyreus clarus - Silver-spotted Skipper - Hodges#3870

3870

Epargyreus clarus (Cramer, 1775)

43-50mm Wingspan(1)

Wings chocolate brown. Fore wings have an irregular golden band below and smaller yellow areas above. Hind wings plain above except for white fringe; large, silvery-white irregular spot below. Caterpillar, to 2”, has brownish-red head with two orange red "eye-spots," and yellowish to green spindle shaped body with narrow dark green bands.(1)

Throughout most of North America.(1)

Gardens, roadsides, and open areas.(1)

Adults fly throughout summer.(1)

Caterpillar eats foliage of leguminous plants, including locust trees, wisteria, alfalfa, and stick-tights.(1)

It hibernates as pupa

The larvae feed within nests made by tying several leaves together with silk. Pupation is in loose cocoons spun among the leaves on the ground.(2)

2 generation per year in the south; 1 and maybe a partial in the north(2)

This is one of the most conspicuous skippers, partly because of its size and partly because of its distinct silvery markings, which show while the insect rests. The caterpillars hide all day in silken nests among foliage, emerging to feed at night. There is one generation a year in the North; two or more in the South.(1)

Milne(1)

University of Florida

Butterflies and Moths of North America

Butterflies of Canada