Indian Grizzled Skipper
Spialia galba galba (Fabricius, 1793) Mal ayalam Name : പുള്ളിച്ചാടൻ Order : Lepidopte ra Family : Hesperiidae Sub-family : Pyrginae Sub species : Spialia galba galba common names : Indian Grizzled Skipper DISTRIBUTION South and Southeast Asia STATUS: Very Common HABITAT: . HABITS The Indian skipper visits flowers, preferring those with small flowers such as Tridax procumbens , (a common weed in India) and species of Dicplitera or Bidens . It sleeps on hanging grass blades and the tips of the branches of herbs IDENTIFICATION FEATURES Having a wingspan of only 24 to 27 mm, Spialia galba is identified by its unique pattern of black and white spots and its small size. The upperside is dark brown to black in colour with a light brown gloss and many small white spots. The wings have a chequered fringe. The underside is whitish. Sexes are identical SIMILAR SPECIES LARVAL HOST PLANTS Glycine max (Fabaceae). Alcea rosea, Hibiscus spp., Sida rhombifolia, Melochia corch...