Bibasis sena


Bibasis sena, commonly known as the orange-tailed awlet, is a butterfly belonging to the family Hesperiidae, the skippers. It is also sometimes called the pale green awlet though that name can also refer to Burara gomata.

Distribution

This skipper is found in Sri Lanka, India, China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesian archipelago and the Philippines.
In India, this skipper is found in the Western Ghats including the Nilgiris, Kodagu, Kanara, and the Himalayas, from Shimla eastward to Northeast India and onto Myanmar. Also found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The type locality for this species is the region of Bengal.

Status

records the orange-tail awl as rare in India and very rare in the Andaman islands. He records the butterfly as not rare in south Myanmar, the Malay Peninsula and parts of the Indonesian archipelago.

Description

Both sexes: The butterfly has a wingspan of 45 to 50 mm. Above, both sexes are an unblemished dark brown. The hindwings have an orange fringe. The abdomen is orange towards the rear. Below, the wings have white patches; the forewings having a large white central patch, and the hindwings having a broad pure white discal band.
The male has no brands.

Detailed description

gives a detailed description as follows:

Taxonomy

The skipper has the following subspecies:
  • B. sena sena - Type locality: Bengal. Distribution: Sri Lanka, S.India - Burma, Thailand, Laos, Hainan, Andamans.
  • B. sena uniformis Elwes & Edwards 1897 - Type locality: Java. Distribution: Burma, Thailand, Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Java, Kangean, Bali, Lombok, Bawean, Sumba, Sumbawa.
  • B. sena palawan - Type locality: Palawan. Distribution: Calamian Islands, Cebu, Homonhon, Leyte, Luzon, Marinduque, Mindanao, Negros, Palawan, Panay, Polillo, Sibutu, Sibuyan, Tawitawi.

    Habits

This butterfly is diurnal. It is confined to heavy jungle of low elevations, typically up to. The male can be seen in the early mornings, basking on the top of leaves in forest glades and hilltops, chasing off intruders. The typical resting position of the orange-tail awl is the underside of the leaf. He does not mud-puddle or visit flowers. The female is usually found close to the host plants.

Life history

The larva has been recorded on Combretum latifolium and Combretum extensum in Kanara.
In the Andamans the larvae has been recorded on Hiptage benghalensis.