Family Hesperiidae [Skippers]
Called skippers because of skipping [rapid, bounding] flight. Skippers are the fastest fliers. The butterflies of this family show few characters of both the butterflies and moths. They have large eyes, hairy body and crepuscular habits [flying at dawn and dusk] like moths but many are active daytime. They have clubbed antennae like butterflies. The antenna is usually expanded towards the tip into a bent club which ends in a short hook (the apiculus); the antennae are widely separated at the base. Body thick, wings relatively short and all six legs well developed. Most species have an epiphysis on the tibia of the foreleg.
Proboscis is exceptionally long compared to the size of the butterfly. FW with all veins arising from the cell or base. Skippers are of two types : One keeping its wings closed and opening hindwings totally and forewings partially while basking. Others holding wings flat open when settled. Eggs dome shaped. The larvae of most skippers are leaf rollers or leaf folders and usually feed at night. Larvae are cylindrical with short legs, flat belly and with well defined head and neck. Larvae with few short hairs but no fleshy protuberances. Pupa is also formed in a leaf fold and many pupae are dusted with white powdery substance. Pupae long and tapering, suspended by tail and a body band.