Kedestes lepenula

Kedestes lepenula
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae
Tribe: Erionotini
Genus: Kedestes
Species: K. lepenula
Binomial name
Kedestes lepenula
(Wallengren, 1857)[1]
Synonyms
  • Kedestes lepedula (missp.)
  • Hesperia lepenula Wallengren, 1857

The Chequered Ranger or Chequered Skipper (Kedestes lepenula) is a butterfly of the Hesperiidae family. It is found from the central East Cape through the western part of the Orange Free State, the eastern part of North West Province into the dry western parts of the Limpopo Province up to Polokwane. It is also found in Botswana.

The wingspan is 27–29 mm for males and 30-33 for females. There are several generations per year, but it is scarce in September. It is more common during summer with a peak from February to April[2].

The larvae feed on Imperata cylindrica.

References

  1. ^ Kedestes, Site of Markku Savela
  2. ^ Woodhall, S. Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa, Cape Town: Struik Publishers, 2005.