Silver-spotted skipper

Hesperia comma

Silver-spotted skipper can be identified by silvery-white spots on the green underside of the hindwing. It is found locally in low-lying areas in Eastern Norway and Southern Norway, as well as in Jotunheimen, Dovre, and sporadically in Troms and Finnmark, and it flies from July to mid-August.

Status in this countryCommon in NorwayLC (Least concern)

Habitat

Sparse, dry meadows on sandy soil, gravel pits, and sunny south-facing slopes. In Troms and Finnmark, it can also be found in clearings within birch forests, and along streams and rivers where there is an abundance of flowers. The adult butterfly basks in the sun, with its hindwings flat and extended, and its forewings held at an upward angle.

Identifying features

Wingspan 25–32 mm. The wings’ base colour is yellowish-brown with strong brown-grey dusting, most prominent towards the edges, and light yellow or orange spots on the forewing. The male has a distinct dark scent patch with a light yellow core on the forewing. The hindwing underside is green with shimmering white spots with a dark border.

Similar species

It resembles Large skipper, but differs in the silvery-white spots on the underside of the hindwing.

Distribution

Local in low-lying areas on Eastern Norway and Southern Norway, west to southernmost Rogaland; rarely in the interior of Vestlandet. Also, in Jotunheimen and Dovre, up to around 1200 metres, and locally in Troms and Finnmark. Can be abundant in dry areas, for example, in the rainforest shadow area in Nord-Gudbrandsdalen and on Hvaler in Østfold. Approximately 740 sightings according to the publication from 2025.

Biology

The larva feeds on various grasses, especially sheep’s fescue. In the lowlands, development takes one year and the species overwinters as an egg. The mountain and northern form (Hesperia comma ssp. catena) is considered to have a two-year development cycle.