''Hesperilla idothea'', commonly known as the flame sedge-skipper, is a species of
butterfly
Butterflies are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the Order (biology), order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. The ...
in the family
Hesperiidae
Skippers are a family of the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) named the Hesperiidae. Being diurnal, they are generally called butterflies. They were previously placed in a separate superfamily, Hesperioidea; however, the most recent taxonomy ...
. It is found in the Australian states of
New South Wales
)
, nickname =
, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
,
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, established_ ...
,
South Australia
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...
and
Victoria.
The
wingspan
The wingspan (or just span) of a bird or an airplane is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777–200 has a wingspan of , and a wandering albatross (''Diomedea exulans'') caught in 1965 had a wingspan of ...
is about 40 mm.
The larvae feed on various sword grass species, including ''
Gahnia aspera
''Gahnia aspera'' known as the rough saw-sedge or round sawsedge is a tussock forming perennial plant, often seen in moist situations. The long strap like leaves grow to 80 cm long.
Originally described by botanist Robert Brown as ''Lamp ...
'', ''
Gahnia clarkei'', ''
Gahnia grandis'', ''
Gahnia melanocarpa'', ''
Gahnia radula'', ''
Gahnia sieberiana'', ''
Gahnia subaequiglumis'' and ''
Gahnia trifida
''Gahnia trifida'', the coastal saw-sedge, is a tussock-forming perennial in the family Cyperaceae, endemic to southern Australia.
A herb, sedge or grass-like, with very rough leaf margins and underside. The species grows in dense tussocks, 1. ...
''.
Subspecies
*''Hesperilla idothea clara''
Waterhouse, 1932 (South Australia)
*''Hesperilla idothea idothea''
(Miskin, 1889) (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria)
References
External links
Australian InsectsAustralian Faunal Directory
Trapezitinae
Butterflies described in 1889
Butterflies of Australia
{{Hesperiidae-stub