Caterpillars of the
World - Singapore
Common Awl Skipper
Hasora badra
MOORE, 1858
Family -
HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
COELIADINAE
Tribe -
introduction
|
habitats & distribution |
adult
|
 |
|
Hasora badra,
Singapore
( photo
courtesy
©
SoonChye ) |
Introduction
The Coeliadinae occurs
in tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Africa, Asia
and Australia. Caterpillars in this subfamily are always brightly
marked, and feed on dicotyledons.
The genus
Hasora comprises of about 20
medium-large species found from India and Sri Lanka, across to
China, and south through the Malay archipelago to Australia and
the Fiji islands.
Hasora badra is the commonest and most widespread species,
occurring in Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia,
Singapore, China, Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi.
Its caterpillar
feeds on Derris elliptica.
|
 |
|
Common
Awl Skipper Hasora badra (
Singapore )
Photo courtesy
©
SoonChye
|
Habitats and
distribution
Hasora badra is the commonest and most widespread species,
occurring in Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia,
Singapore, China, Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi.
It is found in primary
and secondary rainforest at altitudes between sea level and about
1500m.
|
 |
|
Common
Awl Skipper Hasora badra (
Singapore ) surrounded by parasitoid wasp cocoons
Photo courtesy
©
SoonChye
|
Adult
The Coeliadinae comprises of large robust skippers which fly
mainly at dawn and dusk, and which are generally dark in colour
but often have a bluish sheen on the upperside wings. They have a
swift and powerful flight but generally only cover very short
distances on each foray; and rest frequently on the under surface
of leaves on trees or bushes.
The Common Awl
Hasora badra is dark brown on the
upper surface, and devoid of markings in the male. The forewings
of the female however have 3 large yellowish hyaline spots in the
median area, and 3 small pale spots on the subapical area. On the
underside both sexes are dark, with a purplish sheen, and a small
white spot on the discal cell.
|
