in Sri Lanka - Ministry of Environment

At least for one butterfly, Arhopala ormistoni, the mystery of its great rarity has been recentlyuncovered. This is a species of the dense Dipterocarp forests of the wet zone, and it spendsits entire life high up in the canopy where it is very difficult to see and therefore record; itseldom descends to levels where it can be observed easily. This points to the importanceof understanding the general biology of the butterflies before assessing the status andconservation importance.On the other hand, there are several species that are well adapted to altered landscapes andthat survive outside forests very well. These include many species (e.g. Ypthima, Leptosiaand Mycalesis) whose larvae feed on annual weed species that grow in abandoned lands androadsides and their populations certainly seem to be increasing compared to the past. Theestablishment of butterfly gardens in urban and non-urban areas has certainly encouragedthese species. The private sector has been particularly active in the promotion of these butterflygardens for eco-tourism and it is hoped that the idea will spread to individuals, government andnon-governmental institutions more rapidly. Fortunately, there is a push by the Ministry of theEnvironment to promote the idea of butterfly gardens by organizing seminars, workshops andpublications. More work need to be done to create awareness on butterfly conservation in ruralareas, particularly in villages that are bordering forests in the wet zone. Further, more fundingopportunities should be created for butterfly conservation projects to ensure long term survivalof butterfly fauna of Sri Lanka.Recommendations for Research and Conservation1. Establish an officially recognized group of amateur and professional lepidopterists to workclosely with designated biologists from the Ministry of the Environment and other affiliatedinstitutions to act as a consultative body on issues relating to butterfly conservation. Thisgroup must be empowered to carry out island-wide surveys to monitor population fluctuationsand to gather information on all aspects of butterfly biology.2. Establish an official website with a comprehensive database containing historical and currentinformation on the butterflies of the island.3. Initiate a project to gather data on the habitats, distribution, flight periods, immature stages,and the general biology of the endangered and critically endangered species. The findingsof such a study will enable identification of areas that can be protected and enhancedfor the conservation of the butterflies of Sri Lanka.4. Conduct DNA and genitalia studies to verify the taxonomic status of the endemic speciesand sub-species in Sri Lanka to compare with those of the Indian mainland, e.g. Tarucascallinara, Tarucas nara, Pelopidas agna, Pelopidas mathias, Halpe egena, Halpe ceylonica,Spindasis ictis, Spindasis elima, Spindasis nubilus, Acytolepis puspa and Acytolepislilacea.ReferencesAckery, P., de Jong, R. & Vane-Wright, R. I., (1999). The Butterflies: Hedyloidea, Hesperoidea and Papilionoidae.In: N.P. Kristensen, ed. 1999. The butterflies: Hedyloidea, Hesperoidea, and Papilionoidea. de Gruyter. Berlin.pp. 263–300.Kunte, K., (in press). A Systematic and Biogeographic Catalogue of Indian Butterflies: Butterfly Diversity andEndemism in India’s Biodiversity Hotspots.Ormiston, W., (1924). The Butterflies of Ceylon. Colombo: H. W. Cave & Co.van der Poorten, G. & van der Poorten, N., (in press, a). The biology of Spindasis greeni Heron, 1896 and a reviewof the genus Spindasis in Sri Lanka (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). The Journal of Research in Lepidoptera.30