Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Silver-spotted Skipper

There were fewer Monarchs around this afternoon than there were yesterday, but there were still several of them working the butterfly bush outside my window. Among them was this Silver-spotted Skipper. This is one of the larger skippers. Unlike most skippers, this one is easily recognizable because of its tall shape and the white splotch on the underside of its hindwing. It usually sits with its wings folded over its back instead of using the jet plane posture of the smaller skippers. Very occasionally I have a Silver-spotted Skipper with its wings spread flat. Silver-spotted Skippers are very common, and their larvae feed on locusts, wisteria, and legumes.