Mesodina gracillima
Encyclopedia
The Northern Iris-skipper (Mesodina gracillima) is a butterfly
of the Hesperiidae family. It is endemic to the northern coast of the Northern Territory
.
The wingspan
is about 30 mm.
The larvae feed on Patersonia macrantha. They construct a vertical shelter made by joining the leaves of its host plant with silk. It rests in this shelter during the day. Pupation takes place inside the shelter.
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
of the Hesperiidae family. It is endemic to the northern coast of the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
.
The wingspan
Wingspan
The wingspan of an airplane or a bird, is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777 has a wingspan of about ; and a Wandering Albatross caught in 1965 had a wingspan of , the official record for a living bird.The term wingspan, more technically extent, is...
is about 30 mm.
The larvae feed on Patersonia macrantha. They construct a vertical shelter made by joining the leaves of its host plant with silk. It rests in this shelter during the day. Pupation takes place inside the shelter.