Arrhenes dschilus Plotz, 1885
(previously known as : Apaustus dschilus)
Iris Skipper
HESPERIINAE ,   HESPERIIDAE

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

Arrhenes dschilus
male
(Photo: courtesy of Wes Jenkinson)

Thes Caterpillars are bluish green with an olive green dorsal stripe, a pale brown head, and two black spots on the tail. The Caterpillars feed on :

  • Cogon Grass ( Imperata cylindrica ),
  • Guinea Grass ( Panicum maximum ), and
  • Sugar Cane ( Saccharum officinarum ),

    all of the family POACEAE.

    Arrhenes dschilus
    female
    (Photo: courtesy of Wes Jenkinson)

    The butterflies of this species are brown with orange markings. The males have a black mark on the upper surface of each forewing. They have a wingspan of about 3 cms.

    Arrhenes dschilus
    underside: male
    (Photo: courtesy of Wes Jenkinson)

    Various subspecies occur in

  • New Guinea.
    The subspecies iris occurs in
  • Queensland.

    Arrhenes dschilus
    underside: female
    (Photo: courtesy of Wes Jenkinson)

    Further reading :

    Michael F. Braby,
    Butterflies of Australia, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne 2000, vol. 1, pp. 214-215.

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    (updated 7 February 2010)