Pyrrhiades pansa (Hewitson)

Cock, Matthew J. W., 2010, Observations on the biology of Afro-tropical Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera) principally from Kenya. Part 1. Introduction and Coeliadinae, Zootaxa 2547, pp. 1-63 : 54

Pyrrhiades pansa (Hewitson)

This Madagascan species recently colonised Mauritius, and Guillermet (2009) illustrated the caterpillar and pupa from there under the synonym Coeliades ernesti (Grandidier) . It feeds on Hiptage benghalensis (Malpighiaceae) an introduced weedy sprawler or small tree from Asia. The caterpillar is black with a yellow band on each segment, divided into three with narrow black lines, similarly to C. pisistratus ( Figure 34 ). The head is chestnut brown, with what appears to be a single large black spot over the face. The pupa has a frontal spike and projecting T1 spiracles, and is covered with white waxy powder. The caterpillar and pupa are similar to others described and illustrated here of Pyrrhiades and Coeliades spp.

Figures

FIGURE 34. Instar 6 caterpillar of Coeliades pisistratus collected on Caucanthus auriculatus, Kibwezi Forest, 31 Dec 1989; moulted to sixth instar 12 Jan 1990, photographed 15 Jan, 25mm (89/109C).