About Taractrocera papyria (Boisduval, 1832)
Taractrocera papyria, commonly known as the white-banded grass-dart, is a butterfly species belonging to the family Hesperiidae. This species can be found in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 30 mm. The subspecies native to Western Australia does not have the white markings that are present on the nominate subspecies. The larvae of Taractrocera papyria feed on a range of plant species, including Phragmites australis, Microlaena stipoides, Imperata cylindrica, Echinopogon caespitosus, Cynodon dactylon, Austrostipa scabra, Austrodanthonia, Carex gaudichaudiana, Paspalum dilatatum, Oryza sativa, Pennisetum clandestinum, Ehrharta longiflora, Ehrharta calycina, and various Poa species. Larvae build a sheltered structure where they undergo pupation.
