Carcharodus boeticus (Rambur)
Southern Marbled Skipper
HESPERIIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 7 April 2004)


(Photo: courtesy of Roberto Villa, Italian Butterflies)

This Caterpillar is much sought after, as it feeds on the poisonous weed :

  • White Horehound ( Marrubium vulgare, LAMIACEAE ),

    although it also feeds on other plants including :

  • Silver Hoarhound ( Marrubium incanum, LAMIACEAE ),
  • Fetid Horehound ( Ballota foetida, LAMIACEAE ).


    male
    (Photo: courtesy of Roberto Villa, Italian Butterflies)

    The butterflies are brown with grey markings on the forewings, and white spots on the hindwings. The butterflies have wingspans of 1.2 to 1.4 cms.

    The species originates from around the Mediterranean, occuring for example in :

  • Italy,
  • Lebanon,
  • Morocco, and
  • Spain.

    It has been imported into Australia in order to control Horehound.

    previous
    back
    caterpillar
    Australian
    Australian Butterflies
    butterflies
    Australian
    home
    caterpillars
    Australian
    Australian Moths
    moths
    next
    next
    caterpillar