Suastus gremius gremius (Palm Bob)

This Skipper was not recorded in Singapore by the early authors and also described as rare in Malaysia.  However, recent discoveries of this butterfly, both in Malaysia and here in Singapore, have proven that the species is no longer as rare as previously thought.  This could have been partly due to the widespread cultivation of its host plants - mainly palms (Caryota, Cocos and Calamus) as ornamental plants. Suastus gremius gremius is a brown butterfly above, with a few spots on the forewing.  The underside is overlaid with buff scaling with a number of sharply defined black spots.  In Singapore, it has been observed in a number of locations, from the mangrove areas (this photo was taken at Sg Buloh Nature Park), the Zoo, and even in suburban gardens. The butterfly has a rapid flight as is the case with most Skippers, and rests with its wings folded closed.

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