Arrhenes dschilus Plotz, 1885
(previously known as : Apaustus dschilus)
Iris Skipper
HESPERIINAE ,  HESPERIIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 3 May 2008)

Arrhenes dschilus
(Photo: courtesy of Martin Purvis, Sydney)

Thes Caterpillars are bluish green with an olive green dorsal stripe, a pale brown head, and two black spots on the tail. The Caterpillars feed on :

  • Cogon Grass ( Imperata cylindrica ),
  • Guinea Grass ( Panicum maximum ), and
  • Sugar Cane ( Saccharum officinarum ),

    all of the family POACEAE.

    The butterflies of this species are brown with orange markings. The males have a black mark on the upper surface of each forewing. They have a wingspan of about 3 cms.

    The subspeciesiris occurs from Cape York to Townsville. Other subspecies occur in New Guinea.

    Further reading :

    Michael F. Braby,
    Butterflies of Australia, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne 2000, vol. 1, pp. 214-215.

    previous
    back
    caterpillar
    Australian
    Australian Butterflies
    butterflies
    Australian
    home
    caterpillars
    Australian
    Australian Moths
    moths
    next
    next
    caterpillar