Borbo borbonica
Borbo borbonica
Borbo borbonica is a butterfly of the family of Skipper ( Hesperiidae ).
Features
In the females have a wingspan of 41-45 mm; the males are 40 to 44 millimeters on average slightly smaller ( the dimensions refer to the population in South Africa). The Diskalflecke on the top of the front wings are translucent. The spot in Cu2 -A is yellowish. The forewing underside is brown. The hindwing underside is yellowish brown. The palps are buff. The females are similar, but slightly paler. On its hind wing underside three small, pale but distinct Postdiskalflecke are available.
Geographic occurrence and habitat
Borbo borbonica occurs in south-west Spain and Gibraltar, in Africa in the coastal areas of north-western Morocco, Algeria and Libya as well as in Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon and Syria, and in South Africa. In Tunisia, no occurrences are known.
In coastal areas, the species is found only very locally. It is found at altitudes from 0 to 50 meters.
The habitat are hot, dry, rocky coastal canyons and sand dunes with sparse vegetation.
Way of life
The species is regarded as a migrant butterfly. The course of generations is unknown. In South Africa the year are divided into several generations. Flight time ranges in the Mediterranean from June to November, but most often from August to October .. In South Africa, the butterflies fly all year round, with highlights in March to May and August to November. In North Africa Leersia oryzoides serve and Sorghum halepense as caterpillars food plants. For Mauritius " different grasses " Rispenhirsen particular species ( Panicum ), is expressed as caterpillar food. For South Africa Ehrharta erecta, rice (Oryza sp.), Lampenputzer grasses ( Pennisetum spp. ) And corn (Zea mays) known as caterpillar food.
System
Currently in the literature, two or three sub-species.
- Borbo borbonica borbonica ( Boisduval, 1833): The type locality is Reunion.
- Borbo borbonica zelleri ( Lederer, 1855): The type locality is Syria.
- Borbo borbonica morella ( Joannis, 1893), Aldabra and Seychelles