Indian Grizzled Skipper or simply Indian Skipper, is a butterfly from the Hesperiidae family, commonly found in India.
Exif: f/5.6, ISO 400, 1/250sec, 85mm, Nikon D7100, Nikkor 16-85mm f3.5-5.6G VR, Date: August 2, 2014
This photo was taken from an open area covered with grass plants, in Cheruvally, Kerala. The butterfly was perched on this small branch with flower buds. It was raining during those days, so everything was moist. Thereby giving the photo a lively and fresh feel. The time was around five o’çlock in the evening which helped to get a soft lighting also.
The size of the butterfly was a little too small for my 16-85 mm lens. So I had to crop a lot later. Still managed to get a fair amount of details (look at the hairs on the thorax region). That is the sharpness of 16-85 mm lens. I had tried photographing small butterflies with the 18-140 mm lens also. But it couldn’t produce the level of details like the 16-85 mm. So from my experience, it is better to go for the 16-85 mm rather than the 18-140 mm kit lens. It is worthy even though a bit more pricier.
More about Indian Grizzled Skipper (Spialia galba)
This butterfly is commonly seen along south Asia. Its size is comparatively small with about 20 mm wingspan, almost half that of the Grass Demon Butterfly.
The photo above was taken in August, just after monsoons. But can be probably seen during other months also.
It can be easily identified. The under hind wing is primarily greenish brown with white spots. There is an easily seen white band on the discal area of the under hind wing. And there is one white band nearer to the base also, which is smaller than the other. Body and face region have more white hairs, and black from upper side (These are using the photos only). Abdomen becomes black on the bottom and towards the end.
The upper side is mostly black in color. And there are many white colored spots on both hind wing and fore wing. The spots vary in size. Currently I don’t have a good photo of the upper side to share here. Will update this article later with more photos.
Hibiscus is a larval host plant of this butterfly.
Hope you liked this small butterfly.
Family: Hesperiidae
Scientific name: Spialia galba
