Contiguous Swift
Common NameContiguous Swift
Scientific NameParnara bada
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, white
HabitatGrasslands, open fields, gardens, agricultural areas
Geographic RangeSouthern Asia, Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, Australia
Host Plantsrice, sugarcane, maize, various grasses
Flight PeriodMultiple broods year-round in tropical regions; May to October in temperate zones
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae are green with a dark head, feeding on grass leaves and constructing leaf shelters. Pupation occurs within a silken cocoon among leaves.
Identification TipsIdentify by its dark brown wings with a distinct pattern of white spots on both forewings and hindwings, particularly the rectangular spots on the forewing. Its robust body and characteristic hooked antennae are also key features.
Description
A small to medium-sized skipper with a robust body and dark brown wings. Its forewings display a series of prominent white, somewhat rectangular spots, while the hindwings have a row of smaller, often less distinct white spots.
