''Hesperilla malindeva'', commonly known as the malindeva skipper or two-spotted 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 ...
and
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_ ...
.
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 30 mm. The species common name refers to two dark greenish brown spots on the hindwing underside, although these markings are sometimes absent.
Males are often observed perching on shrubs and dead branches around 30 m above the ground.
The larvae feed on ''
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 ...
''.
They make a shelter by rolling leaves of their host into a tube. They remain in this shelter during the day and come out to feed at night.
References
External links
Australian InsectsAustralian Faunal Directory
Trapezitinae
Butterflies described in 1911
{{Hesperiidae-stub