Dart

Description:

Hesperiidae; Hesperiinae; Potanthus sp. I am familiar with the Potanthus butterflies in my local area (I have listed some recent spottings in Notes below). So, when I see a Potanthus sp. (or indeed, any member of the Hesperiinae) I can usually tell, at a glance, whether it is sipping or just resting. Hesperiinae, according to Philippine Lepidoptera and Wikipedia, "hold their wings together while feeding. Hesperiinae are unique in that they hold their wings partially open while resting, with the forewings and hindwings held at different angles. This is known as the 'jet-plane position'." -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grass_skippers - As you can see, the in my photos, this Potanthus sp. was not (at least, at the moment of my pictures) following this behavioural trait. It has its wings fully closed together, but its proboscis is not uncoiled for feeding. I am sure that this break from the customary feeding/resting positions is something that happens occasionally, but since it is the first time that I have spotted it, I thought it worth mentioning.

Habitat:

This Skipper Butterfly, common name Dart, was spotted this morning in the rice mill back yard, resting on foliage in a shaded spot.

Notes:

Previous spottings of Potanthus - https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/17... https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/13... https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/91... https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/67...