The Silver-spotted Skipper is a species of butterfly that are intermediate between the butterflies and the moths. They are widely scattered throughout the United States and some parts of the neighboring countries. When the wings are open, they show a brownish-black color with yellow to golden and orange markings. The males have two elongated, black marks in the middle of the forewings, which the females lack. Both the hindwings are lobed. When the wings are closed, they display more or less the same faint patterns except that, both the hindwings bear a metallic white band.

 

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Sliver-spotted Skipper Facts

Butterfly Family: Skipper (Hesperiidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Eudaminae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 3/4 – 2 5/8 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Disturbed and open woods, foothills, streams, and  prairie waterways

 

Silver-spotted Skipper Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants:

  • Various species in the Fabaceae family
    • Black Locust
    • Honey Locust
    • False Indigo
    • Thicket Bean
    • Hog Peanut
    • Milk Vetch
    • Groundnut

Nectar Plants:

  • Nectar from various flowers
    • Common Milkweed
    • Red Clover
    • Buttonbush
    • Blazing Star
    • Thistles
    • Fleabane
    • Mountain Mint
    • Ironweed
    • Purple Coneflower
    • Mistflower
    • Joe-Pye Weed
    • Woodland Phlox
    • Sweet William
    • Zinnia