Neohesperilla senta

Neohesperilla senta (Miskin, 1891)
(one synonym: Hesperilla senta)
Senta Skipper
TRAPEZITINAE, HESPERIIDAE

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

(updated 19 May 2006)

Male
(Photo: courtesy of Andy Young and Rowan Moore)

This Caterpillar grows to a length of about 2 cms. It is pinkish brown with a dark dorsal line and pale lateral lines. The head and thorax are black. The Caterpillar feeds at night on

Kangaroo Grass ( Themeda triandra, POACEAE ),

resting by day in a shelter made from a folded leaf held with silk. The Caterpillar eventually pupates in the same shelter.

Male underside
(Photo: courtesy of Andy Young and Rowan Moore)

The adult butterflies are dark brown with white spots. Underneath is paler,and the spots are edged in dark brown. The males have a black line across part of each forewing. The butterflies have a wingspan of about 2.5 cms.

Female
(Photo: courtesy of Andy Young and Rowan Moore)

The eggs are laid singly on the underside of a leaf of the base of a young foodplant, especially in regrowth areas after a fire.

Female underside
(Photo: courtesy of Andy Young and Rowan Moore)

The species occurs sporadically across the tropical north of Australia, including Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland.