Dusky skipper

Introduction: Dusky Skippers (Eretis melania Mabille) are also known as a Dusky Elf. They fly along paths with a characteristic darting motion with their wings spread out, heading for open patches of vegetation. Fringes of forests is a known habitat.

Distribution: Kombat and other northern Namibian locations.

Breeding/Larval food: Eggs are often covered with the hairs from the females abdomen. Cream to green larvae have darker body spots.

Colouration: Plain ark grey ground colour without the characteristic red-brown on the underside of the wings.

On the wing: July to September and from March to April.

Wingspan: Approx 35mm.