MBP - Silvers-spotted Skipper
A couple weeks ago I got my "state" Silver-spotted Skipper!
"Whaaaat?" might be an expected response in Maryland, where this species is common and widespread throughout the state in the warmer months. It is found in a variety of habitats from fields and open woods to even residential yards, where it is showy and distinctive - especially for a skipper. It has a distinctive caterpillar as well.
But my "state" sighting (my first in the state) was in Monterey County, California! Although the species is found across much of the U.S., the subspecies can have different habitat preferences and favored host plants. Here in Monterey County, it is a very localized specialist of high-elevation pine forest! So fascinating to see familiar species behave differently in different regions, habitats, and seasons.
Chris Tenney and Jan Austin published a wonderful field guide, "Butterflies of Monterey County" (https://www.montereybutterflies.online/). In the notes for this species, they point out that some observers can identify the Silver-spotted Skipper by sound - "a dry, rattling noise made by its rapid wingbeats as it zips by."
They also share this fascinating behavior: "Larvae of this species also possess a novel trait: some larval predators are attracted to the aroma of fras (that's butterfly larva poop), but Silver-spotted Skipper larve, using an 'anal comb', can eject their frass as far as 38 body lengths from the larval leaf shelter."
📸: Bill Hubick - Monterey Co., California (6/16/2024).
More at Maryland Biodiversity Project:
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/580
Bill
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Thank you for sharing the tidbit about their special talent of frass ejection!!! I love the larvae, they are so colorful and weird looking. Here they especially like the false wild indigo leaves for their leaf shelters. The adults are beautiful too. Interesting that they are in California too.
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