India has a rich biodiversity of butterflies, of which skippers are a well represented family. Of the seven subfamilies belonging to the family Hesperiidae, four are found in India, comprising a total of 223 species of 74 genera and these are listed below.
Hesperids are often difficult to identify to species level in the field and accurate identification may require dissection and examination of the genitalia. The larval food plants are mainly grasses, palms and bamboos. Some feed on dicotyledon species. Eggs are smooth, or sometimes ridged and white or red in color. Larvae are cylindrical with a large head. They are usually green or transparent green and sometimes conspicuously marked. The larvae feed within cells made out of rolled leaves and pupation occurs inside the cell. The pupa is generally covered with fine white powder.
See List of butterflies of India (Coeliadinae) (20 species, four genera).
See List of butterflies of India (Hesperiinae) (133 species, 48 genera).
See List of butterflies of India (Pyrginae) (51 species, 21 genera).
Burara jaina, the orange awlet, is a species of hesperid butterfly found in Asia. The butterfly was reassigned to the genus Burara by Vane-Wright and de Jong (2003), and is considered Burara jaina by them.
Spialia galba, the Indian grizzled skipper, is a hesperiid butterfly which is found in South Asia and parts of Southeast Asia.
Miletus boisduvali, the common brownie, is a small but striking butterfly found in India and Myanmar that belongs to the lycaenids or blues family.
Chliaria othona, the orchid tit, is a species of lycaenid or blue butterfly found in Asia.
Hasora anura, the slate awl, is a species of hesperid butterfly found in Asia. In India it is found in Sikkim and the Khasi Hills.
Capila zennara, commonly known as the pale striped dawnfly, is a species of hesperid butterfly found in tropical Asia.
Baspa melampus, the Indian red flash is a species of blue (Lycaenidae) butterfly found in South-East Asia.
Arhopala alax, the silky oakblue, is a small butterfly found in India that belongs to the lycaenids or blues family.
Dacalana cotys, the white-banded royal is a species of blue butterfly (Lycaenidae) found in South East Asia.
Pratapa icetoides, the blue royal, is a species of blue butterfly (Lycaenidae) found in the Indomalayan realm.
Celaenorrhinus asmara, commonly known as the white-banded flat, is a species of hesperiid butterfly which is found in South and Southeast Asia.
Lobocla liliana, commonly known as the marbled flat, is a species of hesperiid butterfly which is found in the Indomalayan realm.
Celaenorrhinus pero, the Mussoorie pied flat, is a species of hesperiid butterfly found in South Asia.
Celaenorrhinus nigricans, also known as the small banded flat, is a species of hesperiid butterfly found in South and Southeast Asia.
Choaspes xanthopogon, the similar awlking, is a species of butterfly belonging to the family Hesperiidae.
Capila lidderdali, also known as Lidderdale's dawnfly, is a species of hesperid butterfly found in India and Southeast Asia.
Aurivittia aurivittata, the dark yellow-banded flat, is a species of hesperiid butterfly which is found in South Asia and Southeast Asia.
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