Telicota mesoptis

Telicota mesoptis Lower, 1911
Lower's Grass Dart
HESPERIIDAE

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

male
(Picture: courtesy of CSIRO Entomology)

The Caterpillars of this species are green with a dark dorsal line, and a brown head. They grow to a length up to 4 cms. They feed on various grasses ( POACEAE ). The Caterpillars live in a cylindrical shelter made from a leaf of the foodplant. Pupation occurs in a curled leaf on the ground.

The adults are brown with orange patches. The males have a narrow grey line across part of each forewing upper surface. Underneath, the butterflies are greenish-orange with light anf dark markings. The butterflies have a wingspan up to 3 cms.

This species occurs in New Guinea and the tropical north of Australia in

Western Australia,

Northern Territory, and

Queensland.

Further reading :

Michael F. Braby, Butterflies of Australia, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne 2000, vol. 1, pp. 227-228.