Formosan Swift
Common NameFormosan Swift
Scientific NameParnara bada
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, white
HabitatOpen grassy areas, fields, gardens, forest edges
Geographic RangeEast Asia, Southeast Asia, parts of Australia (including Taiwan)
Host Plantsgrasses (Poaceae), rice, sugarcane, bamboo
Flight PeriodMultiple broods, active year-round in tropical regions
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae feed on grass leaves, often creating shelters by rolling leaves, and pupate within a silken cocoon inside a leaf shelter.
Identification TipsKey features include its plain brown coloration, small and often faint white forewing spots, robust body, and the characteristic hooked antennae of skippers. It can be distinguished from similar species by the arrangement of its spots and subtle morphological details.
Description
A small to medium-sized skipper with a robust, hairy, brownish-tan body and dull brown wings. The forewings typically feature a few small, indistinct white spots.
