Indian Palm Bob

Indian Palm Bob

Suastus gremius gremius ( Fabricius) HESPERIIDAE

Adult upperside dark olive-brown. Base of FW and anal area of HW olive green. GW with 7 semi-transparent yellow spots ( 3in the apex and 4 scattered ). Underside mostly grayish. HW with 5 sharply defined, curved, discal series of black spots. Wingspan 32-45 mm.

Common, small, sun-loving butterfly, found sitting on damp patches and bird droppings on leaves. Visits low growing flowers, particularly those of Asteraceae including common pearl everlasting, Aztec Marivold, Youth and old age, Lantana, Anaphalis spp etc.

Larva

Grayish green with brown triangular head, constricted neck and posteriorly flattened body having a dark dorsal line, maller dark green dots and 6 strong, reddish hairs at the posterior region.

Feeds on several palms including coconut, palmyra, date, toddy palm, rattan, east India cane etc.

Distribution

India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Southern china, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Taiwan and Indo-China.