Grassveld Sylph
Common NameGrassveld Sylph
Scientific NameMetisella aegipan
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)28
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsdark brown, yellow, orange
HabitatGrasslands, open grassy areas, often near streams or damp localities
Geographic RangeSouthern Africa (South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique)
Host PlantsEhrharta erecta, various grasses
Flight PeriodOctober to May
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae feed on grasses and pupate in a loose cocoon among grass blades.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its dark brown wings with bright yellow-orange spots, especially the arrangement of spots on the forewing, and its typical rapid, darting skipper flight.
Description
A small, dark brown skipper with a hairy, yellowish-brown body. Its wings are marked with distinctive bright yellow-orange spots, particularly prominent on the forewings.
