Silver-spotted skipper

The silver-spotted skipper is a large, dark brown skipper with a translucent gold patch across each forewing and a bold silvery white patch on the underside of the hindwing, which gives the species its name. Its flight is fast and darting, with sharply pointed forewings held swept back at rest.

Caterpillars feed on locust, wisteria and other legumes across most of the United States and southern Canada, folding a leaf into a shelter that they retreat into between meals. Adults visit a wide range of flowers, generally favoring red, purple and blue blooms over yellow ones.