Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
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<strong>Common</strong> Grass Dart Taractrocera maevius<br />
Dark Palm Dart Telicota bambusae<br />
T LC S VU<br />
Hesperiidae<br />
The sexes are alike. It is dark brown on the upper side with some golden brown scales<br />
in the basal area <strong>of</strong> the forewing. The distal band <strong>of</strong> spots on its forewing discontinues<br />
at the middle and the spots are located marginally at that point. It also has three spots<br />
inward to the distal band. On the hind wing there is a continuous distal band <strong>of</strong> spots<br />
and a basal spot. The colour <strong>of</strong> all these spots varies from light yellow to white. The<br />
cilia <strong>of</strong> both wings are marked in a light colour. The dorsal area <strong>of</strong> its black abdomen<br />
is ringed in white. The colour <strong>of</strong> its underside varies from dull brown to golden brown.<br />
The spots on its upper side are enlarged on this end.<br />
Though the colour pattern and size make it look like an Indian Skipper, the <strong>Common</strong><br />
Grass Dart is readily distinguishable by its fast, zigzagging flight. It flies very low and<br />
near the ground feeding on herbaceous flowers. It leans and bends to any required<br />
angle to feed on these flowers. It is a common sight to see them chase each other. It<br />
is active throughout the day even in during the very hot hours.<br />
This butterfly is found throughout the low and mid country. It is found in weedy<br />
places that have both short herbs and grasses. It is common in coconut plantations.<br />
LFPs: Grasses including Axonopus compressus (f.dx ;Kfld,).<br />
It is usually smaller than the Yellow Palm Dart. The background <strong>of</strong> its upper side is<br />
dark brown in colour. Its orange coloured distal band and the band along the upper<br />
margin merge near the apex <strong>of</strong> the forewing. The sex brand is marked in a lighter<br />
colour in the space in between these bands in males. The orange colour <strong>of</strong> this distal<br />
band does not continue along the veins towards the outer margin as in other Palm<br />
Darts. The hind wing has a broad orange coloured distal band and another patch near<br />
its base. The cilia are orange in both wings. The underside is yellowish orange and it<br />
resembles that <strong>of</strong> other Palm Darts. The orange coloured patches on the upper side<br />
are slightly obvious here and have some black scales at their margins.<br />
The fast-flying Dark Palm Dart prefers to fly at scrub level and feeds on nectar and is<br />
active throughout the day.<br />
<strong>Common</strong> in wayside vegetation and other open habitats, it is also found in bamboo<br />
forests. It extends its range to the mid hills in the southern slope and to the<br />
intermediate zone.<br />
LFPs: Bambusa multiplex (a common ornamental plant in home gardens). Its native<br />
larval food plants are Ochlandra stridula (ng) and Bambusa vulgaris (WK).<br />
Male<br />
Hesperiidae<br />
132 <strong>Common</strong> <strong>Butterflies</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong><br />
<strong>Common</strong> <strong>Butterflies</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong> 133