Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) is in the Skippers family (Hesperiidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 96,475 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Silver-spotted Skipper: observations by month (U.S.)
About Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus, the silver-spotted skipper, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is claimed to be the most recognized skipper in North America. E. clarus occurs in fields, gardens, and at forest edges and ranges from southern Canada throughout most of the United States to northern Mexico, but is absent in the Great Basin and western Texas.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Silver-spotted Skipper by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 8,267 | August | Apr–Sep |
| Ohio | 7,854 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Virginia | 7,033 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Maryland | 6,490 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Illinois | 6,248 | July | Jun–Sep |
| New York | 6,101 | August | Jun–Aug |
| Pennsylvania | 6,024 | August | Jun–Aug |
| Tennessee | 3,704 | July | Apr–Aug |
| Georgia | 3,535 | August | Apr–Aug |
| Wisconsin | 2,901 | August | Jun–Sep |
| New Jersey | 2,799 | August | Jun–Aug |
| Michigan | 2,796 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Missouri | 2,760 | September | May–Sep |
| Indiana | 2,423 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Massachusetts | 2,249 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Alabama | 2,229 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Kentucky | 1,629 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Vermont | 1,521 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Texas | 1,366 | August | Mar–Sep |
| South Carolina | 1,357 | August | Apr–Sep |
| Arkansas | 1,272 | August | Apr–Sep |
| Connecticut | 1,260 | July | Jun–Aug |
| New Hampshire | 1,232 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Kansas | 1,179 | September | Jun–Sep |
| Oklahoma | 1,132 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Nebraska | 1,099 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Iowa | 995 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Minnesota | 975 | July | Jun–Aug |
| West Virginia | 932 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Arizona | 817 | June | May–Aug |
| Delaware | 771 | August | May–Sep |
| Maine | 656 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Colorado | 636 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Louisiana | 635 | August | Mar–Sep |
| Florida | 633 | August | Jun–Sep |
| District of Columbia | 568 | August | Jun–Sep |
| California | 545 | June | May–Jul |
| Mississippi | 537 | August | Mar–Sep |
| Oregon | 507 | June | May–Jul |
| New Mexico | 287 | June | May–Jul |
| South Dakota | 200 | June | May–Sep |
| Washington | 101 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Rhode Island | 87 | July | Jun–Jul |
| North Dakota | 43 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Montana | 28 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Wyoming | 26 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Utah | 21 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Idaho | 15 | July | Jun–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Skippers)
Fiery Skipper
Huron Skipper
Zabulon Skipper
Peck's Skipper
Horace's Duskywing
Clouded Skipper
Long-tailed Skipper
Common Checkered-Skipper
Photography tips
- Butterflies are sluggish on cool mornings — the best time for close approaches.
- Keep the sensor parallel to the wings for edge-to-edge sharpness.
- Nectar plants in bloom are reliable places to wait.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Silver-spotted Skipper?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to September.
Where is Silver-spotted Skipper most often seen?
The most observations come from North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia.