Silver-spotted Skipper - Epargyreus clarus
Photographed towards the end of my outing in harsh sunlight, this is by far the earliest I have come across this species in the area.
The wings of this species are 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.
Larva feed on leguminous plants, including locust trees, wisteria, alfalfa, and stick-tights.
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. This species hibernates as a pupa.
Silver-spotted Skipper - Epargyreus clarus
Photographed towards the end of my outing in harsh sunlight, this is by far the earliest I have come across this species in the area.
The wings of this species are 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.
Larva feed on leguminous plants, including locust trees, wisteria, alfalfa, and stick-tights.
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. This species hibernates as a pupa.