Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

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