Plain banded awl | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Hesperiidae |
Genus: | Hasora |
Species: | H. vitta
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Binomial name | |
Hasora vitta |
Hasora vitta, the plain banded awl,[2][3][4] is a butterfly belonging to the family Hesperiidae which is found in India and parts of Southeast Asia.[5]
For a key to the terms used, see Glossary of entomology terms. |
The butterfly, which has a wingspan of 45 to 55 mm, is dark brown above. It resembles the common banded awl (Hasora chromus), except in the case of having a broad white band on the under hindwing which is outwardly diffused; also, its wings are more prominently glossed.[6][7]
Other differentiating characteristics are:
Male: The upper forewing has an apical spot, sometimes with another in 3. The upper forewing has no brand.[6]
Female: The apical spot in the case of the female is larger, and there is an additional spot in 2.[6]
The butterfly has two subspecies:
The plain banded awl is found in India in the south (Kanara), Sikkim, Assam[2] and eastwards to Myanmar, Thailand, western China, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.[4][8]
Not rare as per Evans (1932).[8] Not common as per Wynter-Blyth (1957).[6]
The caterpillars have been recorded on Derris spp., Pongamia spp., Millettia extensa, Endosamara racemosa, Millettia glabra and Spatholobus ferrugineus.[4][9]