White-banded Grass-dart
Common NameWhite-banded Grass-dart
Scientific NameTaractrocera papyria
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)22
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsbrown, white
HabitatGrasslands, open woodlands, gardens, parks
Geographic RangeEastern and southeastern Australia, Tasmania
Host PlantsPaspalum dilatatum, Ehrharta erecta, Cynodon dactylon, Oryza sativa
Flight PeriodSeptember to May (multiple broods)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae are green with a darker dorsal stripe, feeding on grass leaves, and pupate in a silken shelter among the foliage.
Identification TipsLook for its small size, dark brown wings with a distinctive white band across the forewing, and the characteristic robust body and hooked antennae of a skipper. It has a very rapid, darting flight close to the ground.
Description
A small, robust skipper with dark brown wings featuring prominent white or pale yellow bands on the forewings and a hairy, brownish body. Its antennae are distinctly clubbed with a hooked tip.
