Oriental Straight Swift
Common NameOriental Straight Swift
Scientific NameParnara guttata
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)35
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, grey
HabitatGrasslands, open fields, agricultural areas, forest edges
Geographic RangeEast Asia, Southeast Asia, parts of South Asia
Host Plantsrice, bamboo, sugarcane, various grasses (Poaceae)
Flight PeriodMultiple broods from spring to autumn (e.g., May to October)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are typically green and feed on various grasses, often rolling leaves to create shelters. Pupation occurs within a silken cocoon in a leaf shelter.
Identification TipsLook for its drab brown coloration, the characteristic small white spots on the forewing (often in a straight line), and the typical skipper morphology with a robust body and hooked antennae. Its rapid, darting flight is also a key indicator.
Description
A small, robust-bodied skipper with dull brownish-grey wings, featuring a few small, distinct white spots on the forewings. Its antennae are hooked at the tip.
