Giant Redeye

Giant Redeye

Gangara thyrsis thyrsis ( Fabricius) HESPERIIDAE

Adult upperside dark, chocolate brown. FW with 2 large quadrate and 1 small, triangular, semi-transparent yellow spots in the cell and 3 smaller quadrate spots in the apex. Underside FW with bluish white scales at the apex and bands of similar scales in HW. Male with a tuft along anal area. Eyes red ( hence the common name ). Wingspan 70-76mm.

One of the largest of the skippers occurring from south India to Bombay and Calcutta, sikkim to assam. Crepuscular in habits, hides in concealed spots during the daytime with tightly closed wings. With rapid flight, it is on the wings shortly after dawn and again at dusk. Mostly observed around palm trees in the forested areas. Also known as the coconut skipper.

Larva

Greyish white / green with heart- shaped dark brown head. Body sea-green on the sides of segments 2 and 3 and covered with long, white, feathery, mealy threads, arranged in branches, leaving a few brown markings and spots.

Feeds on all palms by rolling the tip of leaves.

Distribution

Throughout the oriental region wherever palms are cultivated.