African Skipper Moths

African skipper moths, family Apoprogonidae, includes only a single species from South Africa. The family is in the superfamily Uranioidea, in the section Cossina, subsection Bombycina, of the division Ditrysia. Adults medium size (46–56 mm wingspan), with head rough scaled and eyes large; haustellum naked; labial palpi porrect; maxillary palpi minute, 1-segmented; antennae clubbed (hooked at tip).

Wings triangular and short; body robust. Maculation dark gray with some pale markings, plus pale discal spot on fore- and hindwings. Adults presumed diurnal, but nothing is known of the biology or larvae (Fig. 26).

Figure 26 Example of African skipper moths (Apoprogonidae), Apoprogones hesperidis Hampson from South Africa.