Gegenes hottentota

Gegenes hottentota
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae
Genus: Gegenes
Species:
G. hottentota
Binomial name
Gegenes hottentota
(Latreille, 1824)
Synonyms
  • Hesperia hottentota Latreille, 1824
  • Pamphila obumbrata Trimen, 1891

Gegenes hottentota, the marsh Hottentot skipper, Hottentot skipper or Latreille's skipper, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is found in Africa and south-western Arabia. The habitat consists of marshy areas with thick grass, especially in valleys.

The wingspan is 31–34 mm for males, and 31–36 mm for females. Adults are on wing year-round in warmer areas (with a peak from April to May).

The larvae feed on Oldenlandia corymbosa.

References

  1. ^ Gegenes at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  2. ^ Afrotropical Butterflies: Hesperiidae - Subfamily Hesperiinae
  3. ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.