Butterflies of
Africa
Scarce Pathfinder Skipper
Pardaleodes sator
WESTWOOD, 1852
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
HESPERIINAE
Tribe -
Pardaleodes sator,
Amedzofe, Likpe Hills, Ghana / Togo border
Introduction
The genus Pardaleodes comprises
of 6 species, all of which are entirely African in distribution.
Pardaleodes sator is found across most of tropical sub-Sahara Africa from
Senegal to Congo.
The common name is misleading,
as while it is certainly less common than it's relative
edipus, it is by no means a rarity.
Habitats
This species is found mainly along tracks and roads through degraded forest.
Lifecycle
The larvae feed nocturnally on grasses
including Oplismenus ( Poaceae ).
Adult behaviour
Both sexes are fond of visiting
flowers, being attracted mainly to species with yellow or white
petals. They can be found early on sunny morning on the foliage of
bushes and grasses, basking in the typical Hesperiine posture. As
the day warms up they become quite active, flying rapidly from
flower to flower, feeding with their wings held erect. By midday
it is generally too hot for tem to continue flying, and they seek
shade beneath bushes.
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