130 
HESPERlIDiE. 
the suture, splitting into a Y lower down, and with two other markings forming an inverted fs/j _ 
A brown patch just above the jaws, and above this an inverted \/“ s ^ a P ec i brown marking coinciding 
with the M. 
Parnara mathias, Fabr. 
Also known as Chapra mathias. Figs, i and ia, PI. Vila and genitalia. Upperside 
dark olive brown. Eight hyaline ochreous spots on the forewing, and between the lowest spot 
and sub-median nervure an oblique pale ochreous streak or brand, sometimes very distinct, often 
obscure. The scales forming this brand are not identical with the ordinary wing scales, but seem 
to be of the nature of androconia. Hindwings immaculate. Underside similar to the upperside 
except that the position of the brand is indicated by a broad and indistinct light marking or patch. 
Hindwings with four or five small pale ochreous spots irregularly placed : sometimes these spots 
are almost obsolete. The $ is like the but the brand in the forewing is replaced by two spots, 
the upper one very small. The spots on the underside of the hindwing are larger and more 
distinct than in the <£, and often show on the upperside as well, more or less distinctly. On the 
underside they are generally whitish. Expanse 1.25—1.625. 
This is one of the commonest Skippers here, and is on the wing throughout the year, 
though scarce in January and February. In the spring and autumn, together with P. colaca y 
it swarms at Lantana and many other flowers and is sometimes captured by lizards. It visits 
garden flowers, and creeps within the deep bells of the purple Ipomcea. I have often seen 
this Skipper fly slowly away from flowers and suddenly drop to the ground, and on picking it up 
discovered the small ambush-spider clinging to it, generally by the head. The Asilid flies also 
destroy numbers of this Hesperid, picking them up as they rest on a leaf or are intent on probing a 
flower. P. mathias is abroad all day and seems to delight in hot sunshine. It is practically 
ubiquitous, and may be found wherever there is a little scrub or long grass, but it prefers 
open country. 
Forsyth, in the Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. for 1884, p. 387, describes the larva and 
pupa thus:— 
“ Larva. Head triangular, on a neck ; a brown line along the margin of head. Body 
grass-green, with light yellow bars across back. A whitish line along either side above the origin 
of legs. Found on long, coarse, green meadow-grass in August.” 
“ Pupa. Along a blade of grass, attached by a band across thorax and also at tail. Head 
generally points upwards. Body of a translucent green colour, quite naked, and unenclosed 
in a covering of any description.” 
Parnara sinensis, Mahiiie 
Not a very common species here ; it appears to be allied to P. mathias , and occurs 
rather sparingly almost throughout the year, often in company with the latter Hesperid. It 
frequents open, scrubby ground and the outskirts of woods amongst long grass. 
