Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)

The Silver-spotted Skippers seem to be gone for the year. A few were daily visitors to the butterfly bush at our place. However, the best encounter I have had with a Silver-spotted Skipper was at Fort Yargo State Park a month or so ago.

I had pulled the flower head of a Trumpetweed (Eupatoriadelphus fistulosus) towards me to take some macro shots of individual flowerlets. A pair of Silver-spotted Skippers were cavorting above this cluster of plants. At least one of the two (aka the pursuer) was amorous. The other (aka the pursuee) seemed to be a little less enamored with the attentions of the pursuer. After several circuits above the vegetation, the pursuee suddenly broke off, flew in and landed on the flower head I was holding.

This butterfly appeared to be completely unaware of my presence and began feeding on the flowerlets. I was able to get some really close-up photos, even moving the flower head around to get better lighting on her.

Identification resources:
- West Central Georgia Butterflies by Michael Beohm: Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
- BugGuide: Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
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