Mesodina halyzia
Encyclopedia
The Eastern Iris-skipper or Halyzia Skipper (Mesodina halyzia) is a butterfly
of the Hesperiidae family. It is endemic to New South Wales
, Queensland
and Victoria
.
The wingspan
is about 30 mm.
The larvae feed on Patersonia fragilis
, Patersonia glabrata, Patersonia occidentalis and Patersonia sericea. They construct a shelter made by joining the leaves of its host plant with silk, where it rests during the day.
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
of the Hesperiidae family. It is endemic to New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
and Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
.
The wingspan
Wingspan
The wingspan of an airplane or a bird, is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777 has a wingspan of about ; and a Wandering Albatross caught in 1965 had a wingspan of , the official record for a living bird.The term wingspan, more technically extent, is...
is about 30 mm.
The larvae feed on Patersonia fragilis
Patersonia fragilis
Patersonia fragilis is a perennial herbaceous plant that is native to Southeastern Australia....
, Patersonia glabrata, Patersonia occidentalis and Patersonia sericea. They construct a shelter made by joining the leaves of its host plant with silk, where it rests during the day.