Skippers Indian Butterflies

Rare Swift
Parnara ganga

Rare Swift
Photo by Abha
Rare Swift
Bangalore, June 2001

I had earlier mislabelled this a "Common Grass Dart". I thank S. Kalesh for correcting my error as well as for the following note (slightly edited by me) on the differences between Swifts and Grass Darts:
The Swifts are relatively faster, as per their name, in their flight. The Grass Darts are less accomplished fliers but have a darting type of flight. Swifts are relatively brownish insects with various transparent markings such as brands and hyaline spots, mostly single and rarely conjoint, on their wings. These are usually on the upper side of their fore wings, but in some also on the hind wings. Some of the spots are visible on both sides. The Grass Darts look similar but differ in the arrangement of the spots on their wings. The spots appear coupled on some areas and lie close together in layers of 2 or 3 from the near aspect of the body to the ends of wings on the upper side, and are more colourful on the underside with whitish veins and spots. The Swifts are relatively larger, with some exceptions, but the wing span, I think, is never less than 3.00 cm. Darts are a bit smaller and less stouter than the Swifts.
Kalesh also suggested that this is the Rare Swift.


Amber Habib
Last modified: February 24 2006