Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

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Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies
Lepidoptera
   Hesperiidae

     Epargyreus clarus
     Silver-spotted Skipper


upperside
underside

Size: Wingspread 1.7-1.9 in.
Recognition: Upperside brown-black with gold patch near leading edge of FW; underside has gold patch in FW along, and a distinctive silver patch in HW.
Flight period: The adult may be seen from late spring to fall.
Hostplants: Larvae feed on a wide variety of legumes (Fabaceae), including both woody and herbaceous species.
Habitat: Generally found in cooler, upland habitats, such as foothill canyons and montane meadows.
Distribution: Found throughout the U.S. excluding desert areas (and excluding the Central Valley of California.)

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