Luzon Grass Dart

Description:

Taractrocera luzonensis luzonensis (Staudinger, 1889). When I first became interested in nature, I used to get confused from time to time and I remember that this Skipper butterfly was one that gave me a little problem until I understood the situation a little better. There is the species Taractrocera luzonensis (Staudinger, 1889) which is present in Philippines where it was first discovered, but it is also present in a few other countries in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Indonesia and Burma). My confusion arose when I first came across Taractrocera luzonensis luzonensis (Staudinger, 1889) which is, of course, a subspecies. Probably the most important point that is now burned into my memory is that the subspecies (the subject of this spotting) is ENDEMIC to the Phillipines and the species (documented in a number of countries) is NOT ENDEMIC to the Philippines.

Habitat:

Spotted in our backyard on the leaves of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) locally known as Kamote. Plant identification - http://www.stuartxchange.org/Kamote.html......