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Borbo micans

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marsh swift
Borbo micans figure 19
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae
Genus: Borbo
Species:
B. micans
Binomial name
Borbo micans
(Holland, 1896)[1]
Synonyms
  • Parnara micans Holland, 1896

Borbo micans, the marsh swift, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is found in tropical Africa. In South Africa it is restricted to the riverine and lowland forests of KwaZulu-Natal and swamp areas close to Manguzi Forest, the Pongola River and Kosi Bay in Maputaland. The habitat consists of swamps and marshes in open country or near streams and lakes in rainforests.[2]

The wingspan is 32–36 mm for males and 36–40 mm for females. Adults are probably on wing year-round, but it is more common in autumn and winter in southern Africa.[3]

The larvae probably feed on various Poaceae swamp grasses, including Hypolytrum heteromorphum.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Borbo at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  2. ^ Afrotropical Butterflies: Hesperiidae - Subfamily Hesperiinae
  3. ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.