Hesperilla sexguttata (Riverine Sedge-skipper)

Other Common name

Six-spot Skipper.

Notes

After failing to find this species around Cairns, Townsville and Darwin I eventually saw a few specimens along a dry creek bed next to where the Mulligan Highway crosses the McLeod River. I was surprised at how small these skipper were, having expected them to be around the same size as the H. sarnia I’d seen at the top of Mount Stuart at Townsville. 
I mostly saw them settled on their foodplant along the edge of the creek bed, though as the morning grew warmer I started to see them in flight as well. They’re not a spectacular butterfly, but they were very cute and most of the specimens I saw looked to have emerged recently.

Sightings

McLeod River, QLD – April 2023

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