Prince William Conservation Alliance PWCA Calendar Blog Resources Support PWCA
Silver Spotted Skipper
Silver-spotted Skipper Silver Spotted Skipper Silver-spotted Skipper Caterpillar

Photos:
Top © Kim Hosen; Suburban backyard, Woodbridge, VA; September 2008
Lower left and center © Eli Hosen; Suburban backyard, Woodbridge, VA; August 2008
Lower right (caterpillar) © Judy Gallagher; Metz Wetland, Woodbridge, VA; September 2014

Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
Wingspan: 1 3/4 to 2 5/8 inches

Large and powerful, the Silver-spotted Skipper has a large white patch on the underside of its lower wing that makes this butterfly easy to identify even when in flight.

Look for this abundant butterfly from early June through August in a variety of habitats, including open woodlands, fields, gardens and meadows. Males perch on vegetation, frequently darting off in pursuit of large insects passing by and often engage in aerial chases.

The Silver-spotted Skipper is not fussy about nectar sources and visits a variety of flowers, with a preference for red, purple and pink blooms.

Silver-spotted Skippers lay single green eggs with red tops on the upperside of its host plants, which include black locust (Robbinia pseudoacacia).