Hasora chromus, the common banded awl, is a butterfly belonging to the family Hesperiidae which is found in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia. Range The common banded awl is found throughout the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia (including the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian archipelago), South China, Okinawa, Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia. It occurs in the plains and hills up to . It is found in jungle and open country in areas of light and heavy rainfall. Description Both sexes: Wingspan 45–50 mm. The male and female are dark vinaceous (colour of red wine) brown. The cilia is greyish brown while the head and thorax are greenish brown. The abdomen, third joint of palpi and the legs are also brown; the palpi and thorax beneath are dull yellow. Below, the hindwing is dark brown with more of less of dull blue-greyish gloss. It has a narrow discal band, whitish in colour which is diffused on the outside margin. It has a black tornal patch. This black spot is clearly visible only at the time of hatching for a few moments but is becomes hidden in the fold of the hindwing, a characteristic of this genus which develops very soon after. It can also be seen in mounted museum specimens. Male: Above, dark brown and unmarked. The upperside of the forewing with a brand from vein 1 to 4. Female: Above, the female has two yellowish-white discal spots, with a small spot near the apex. Similar species The following species of awls (genus Hasora) look similar and can be told apart by the differences in the white discal band of the underside of the hindwing. Common awl (Hasora badra) (Moore, 1857) – It resembles the common banded awl but lacks the white band. It has rust colouring and a white spot on the underside of the hindwing. Plain banded awl (Hasora vitta) (Butler, 1870) – The white band is broader, diffused at the outer margin and has more glossy sheen than the common banded awl. White banded awl (Hasora taminatus) (Hübner, 1818) – The white band is broad, sharply defined and generally uniform in width. Habits In India, the common banded awl is the most common of the awls or Coeliadinae subfamily of skippers. It has a rapid and whirring flight which is audible at close quarters. It is less averse to sunshine than other awls and is