Bug FAQIndian Palm Bob
Suastus gremius · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Hesperiidae
Also called: Oriental Palm Bob, Palm Bob
The Indian Palm Bob butterfly has olive-brown upper wings and distinctive ochreous-white spots on the forewings, including several discal and sub-apical markings that vary in size. It lives in the Indomalayan realm and its caterpillars feed on several palm species such as Phoenix, Rhapis, Caryota and Washingtonia. Females are generally paler and larger than males, with broader wing spots that can help tell the sexes apart.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Upper side of the wings is olive-brown. Forewings show a pattern of ochreous-white spots: a small central spot, three sub-apical spots, and three larger discal spots arranged obliquely, with size variation among individuals.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It is found in the Indomalayan realm.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Caterpillars feed on palm species including Phoenix, Rhapis, Caryota and Washingtonia.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its range is the Indomalayan realm.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
Females look similar to males but are usually paler, larger, and have broader wing spots; the two upper discal spots are square and the middle spot is excavated on its outer side.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
What plants do the larvae of the Indian Palm Bob eat?
The larvae feed on palms such as Phoenix, Rhapis, Caryota and Washingtonia.
Source: Wikipedia
How can I tell a male Indian Palm Bob from a female?
Females are generally paler, slightly larger, and have broader wing spots compared with males.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Hesperiidae)
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suastus_gremius
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.