Silver-Spotted Skipper

The silver-spotted skipper is one of our largest, most widespread, and most recognizable skippers. It is characterized by a large white spot on the underside of each hind wing. You can often find it in disturbed and open woods, foothills, and prairie waterways.

Photo credit: John Blair

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  • Black Locust – Robinia pseudoacacia

    False Indigo – Amorpha spp

    Hog-Peanut – Amphicarpaea bracteate

    Honey Locust – Gleditsia triacanthos

    Lead Plant – Amorpha spp

    Tick-Trefoil – Desmodium spp

    Vetch - Astragalus spp

    • Canadian milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis)

    • Cooper's milkvetch (Astragalus neglectus)

    Wisteria – Wisteria frutescens

  • Butterfly Pea – Clitoria mariana

    Downy Milkpea – Galactia volubilis

    Hyacinth Bean – Lablab purpureus

  • Can be found puddling

    Black-eyed Susan, Blazing Star, Buttonbush, Dogbane, Goldenrod, Ironweed, Joe-Pye Weed, Milkweed, Monarda, New Jersey Tea, Perennial Pea (Lathyrus), Purple Coneflower, Thistle, Vetch, Wild Indigo, Wild Sweet William

  • Alfalfa, Butterfly Bush (make sure you use a sterile variety), Mexican Sunflower, Red Clover

  • May-October. 2-4 broods per year, last brood overwinters

  • Butterflies and Moths of North America. Butterfliesandmoths.org

    Brenda Dziedzic, Raising Butterflies in the Garden

    Heather Holm, Pollinators of Native Plants

    National Wildlife Federation. Nwf.org

    Xerces Society. Xerces.org