Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Hesperiidae (skippers)
- Subfamily: Pyrginae
- Tribe: Tagiadini
- Genus: Sarangesa
- Species: Sarangesa purendra (Moore, 1881)
Common name
The species is commonly referred to as the “purendra flat” or “purendra skipper,” though usage varies regionally.
Description
Sarangesa purendra is a small to medium‑sized skipper butterfly. Adults exhibit a brown‑black ground colour on the dorsal wing surfaces with contrasting pale spots and faint white or orange markings on the forewings. The ventral side is generally lighter, displaying a pattern of subtle, diffuse markings that aid in camouflage when the butterfly rests with wings folded. The wingspan ranges from approximately 30 to 40 mm. Sexual dimorphism is minimal; males and females are similar in coloration, although males may show slightly more pronounced markings on the forewings.
Distribution and habitat
The species is recorded from the Indian subcontinent, including India, Sri Lanka, and parts of southeastern Nepal. It is also reported from Myanmar and occasionally from adjoining regions of Thailand. S. purendra inhabits open, sunny habitats such as grasslands, forest edges, and scrubby clearings at low to moderate elevations (up to roughly 1,500 m). It prefers areas where its larval host plants are abundant.
Life cycle and ecology
Larval host plants – Recorded host plants belong to the family Poaceae (grasses), particularly species of the genera Panicum and Setaria. Larvae feed on the leaves, constructing loose shelters from leaf folds or silk.
Behavior – Adults are diurnal and are often observed perching on low vegetation with wings partially open. They are weak fliers, exhibiting short, rapid bursts of flight between perching sites. Males are known to patrol territories along sunlit strips to locate receptive females.
Reproduction – After mating, females lay single eggs on the underside of host‑plant leaves. The larval stage comprises several instars before pupation in a leaf‑fold or on the ground beneath a leaf litter cover. The pupal period lasts roughly 10–14 days, after which the adult emerges.
Conservation status
The species has not been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and therefore does not have an official Red List category. It is generally considered locally common within suitable habitats, although habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and urbanization may affect regional populations.
Research and references
- Moore, F. (1881). Original description of Sarangesa purendra.
- Evans, W. H. (1932). The Identification of Indian Butterflies. Bombay Natural History Society.
- Online databases such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the Catalogue of Life list Sarangesa purendra as a valid species.
Note: While the above information reflects the current scientific consensus on Sarangesa purendra, detailed studies on its ecology and population trends remain limited.