Coconut Skipper
Common NameCoconut Skipper
Scientific NameGangara thyrsis
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)65
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsbrown, red
HabitatForests, plantations, gardens, and areas with host palms
Geographic RangeSouth and Southeast Asia (e.g., India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines)
Host Plantscoconut palm, oil palm, areca palm, date palm
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are green, cylindrical, and construct shelters by rolling host plant leaves. Pupation occurs within these leaf shelters.
Identification TipsKey features for identification are the prominent red eyes, the robust body, and the uniform dull brown coloration of the wings. Like other skippers, it has hooked antennae.
Description
A robust, medium-sized skipper with uniform dull brown wings and a hairy brown body. Its most striking feature is its large, prominent red eyes.
