About Metisella malgacha (Boisduval, 1833)
Metisella malgacha, commonly known as the grassveld sylph, is a butterfly species belonging to the family Hesperiidae. It is distributed across the Cape, Free State, Lesotho, Transvaal, and KwaZulu-Natal regions of South Africa. Its preferred habitats include grassland, as well as grassy areas found within fynbos and Karoo biomes. Males of this species have a wingspan ranging from 25 to 29 mm, while females have a slightly larger wingspan of 27 to 31 mm. The flight period generally occurs between August and May, and multiple broods may be produced over this time. At the highest elevations, the flight period is restricted to December to January instead. The larvae of Metisella malgacha feed on Ehrharta erecta.
