Butterflies of
Africa
Western Dusky Dart
Paracleros placidus
PLÖTZ, 1879
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
HESPERIINAE
Tribe -
Paracleros placidus,
Bunso, Ghana
Introduction
The genus Paracleros comprises
of 6 species, all wholly African in distribution. Three of these
are extremely similar, and were all grouped together under the
name placidus, until 1978 when
Berger proved with DNA analysis that they were distinct species.
They can only be told apart with certainty by dissecting and
microscopically examining the genitalia, so my determination of
the illustrated species as placidus
must be considered speculative.
The known range of
Paracleros placidus extends from Cote d'Ivoire to Togo, but it is likely
to also occur further east and west.
Habitats
This species is found in grassy areas within forest, typically in the shade
beneath forest edge trees, or along shady logging roads.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants are grasses, but the
exact species used are not recorded..
Adult behaviour
Both sexes commonly visit the flowers of herbaceous plants for
nectar. As befits their vernacular name, they have a rapid darting
flight, rarely fly more than a few centimetres above ground level.
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