Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

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Citation 

Jayasinghe, H.D. (2015). Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka. Colombo, Sri Lanka: 

Ceylon Tea Services PLC. 

Text & Photographs by 

Himesh Jayasinghe 

Design and Layout by 

Kasun Pradeepa. Wild Studio 

Printed and bound 

Karunaratne & Sons (Pvt)Ltd. 

ISBN: 978-955-0081-13-4 

Ceylon Tea Services PLC 

MJF Group 

111, Negombo Road 

Peliyagoda 

Sri Lanka 

Contact 

info@dilmahconservation.org 

2015. 

Common 

BUTTERFLIES 

of Sri Lanka 

Himesh Dilruwan Jayasinghe

Message from the Founder 

Looking back on nearly three decades of Dilmah Tea, I am honoured that Dilmah 

has been able to play a significant role in sharing its success by supporting social 

and environmental development initiatives across Sri Lanka. Dilmah Conservation 

was established as an affirmation of our commitment to protecting nature and the 

environment and ensuring that we leave behind a better planet for future generations. 

Butterflies have always been a subject of great fascination to children and adults 

alike due to their association with Samanala Kanda or Adam’s Peak which is of great 

spiritual significance to Sri Lankans of all faiths. The spectacle of the annual butterfly 

migration when thousands of butterflies fly towards Adam’s Peak in the South-Central 

Mountains is steeped in folklore and has captivated the Sri Lankan imagination for 

centuries. 

However, I have noticed that over the years, even within our home gardens the 

number of butterflies has sadly diminished. Having learnt that this decline has 

occurred as a result of increased urbanization and the interlinked use of harmful 

chemicals, I wished to help create a space for conserving butterflies in the city. We 

have made great strides in butterfly conservation in Sri Lanka by founding an urban 

butterfly garden at the Moratuwa MJF Centre which is home to over 50 types of 

butterflies. 

I hope that this publication not only inspires a new generation of enthusiasts to 

undertake further study about butterflies and learn more about their intriguing 

habits, but also motivates readers to minimise the use of harmful chemical substances 

in their gardens so that local butterfly populations might flourish once again. 

In line with its pledge to sustainability, Dilmah will continue to strengthen its 

commitment to supporting conservation and accessible environmental and nature 

education. 

Merrill J. Fernando 

Founder – Dilmah Conservation

Common 

BUTTERFLIES 

of Sri Lanka 

Himesh Dilruwan Jayasinghe 

Leopard Phalanta phalantha

Foreword 

Preface 

Butterflies have been a subject of great interest to young and old alike throughout 

the ages and all over the world. As creatures of nature, their colorful wings and day 

active nature has enabled humans to observe and study them, as well as coin poems 

and stories and legends. As it is for most other animals and plants on this planet, 

butterflies today are threatened with habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation, 

pollution and over exploitation. Sri Lankan butterflies have had little attention paid to 

their ecology and conservation needs despite these serious threats to their existence 

in the wild. What might not be known to most people is that butterflies also play an 

important role in ecosystems, which would be noticed only once they disappear. Like 

many other species, butterflies have specific requirements of habitats and nutrition 

which need to be understood clearly if they are to be protected. A noticeable decline 

in the once flourishing Sri Lankan butterfly population indicates the need to actively 

undertake measures to ensure the protection of these creatures and their habitats. 

This book, Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka, offers a very good introduction to 

butterflies for those who wish to learn more about this group by showing how to 

identify them in the field, main features of their lifecycle, behaviour, distribution in 

Sri Lanka and preferred food plants. A notable feature of this very useful book is its 

overview of Sri Lanka’s endemic butterflies. Therefore, I have no doubt that this book 

is a very important contribution to the study of butterflies in Sri Lanka and will serve 

as a useful and accessible guide for amateurs and enthusiasts alike. 

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the author Mr. Himesh Jayasinghe, 

a young but well known butterfly enthusiast and researcher for developing this 

valuable resource. It is my opinion that young people of a country who will soon 

grow up to become adults and therefore decision makers, need to be made aware 

as early as possible, that pursuit of material wealth at the expense of nature is never 

sustainable and will eventually lead to the downfall of all, plants, animals and humans. 

Dilmah Conservation through endorsement of Mr. Jayasinghe’s effort has once again 

demonstrated their commitment to conservation of nature in this beautiful and 

biodiversity rich country of ours. It is our hope that their support to ensure that 

specialist knowledge is made available in an accesible format to the young and old 

and emerging butterfly enthusiasts will not only lead to a greater interest in the study 

of butterflies and their habits but that it will help enhance butterfly conservation 

practices in Sri Lanka. 

Since its inception in 2007, Dilmah Conservation has engaged in promoting sustainable 

environmental and social development initiatives geared towards supporting the 

preservation of Sri Lanka’s natural and cultural heritage. In line with its commitment 

to the conservation of nature and the environment, Dilmah Conservation is engaged 

in inland and marine conservation and habitat restoration towards ensuring the 

protection of Sri Lanka’s wealth of biodiversity. Initiatives include support extended 

to the Udalwalawe Elephant Transit Home, the establishment of a biological corridor 

in Endena, Ratnapura, the discovery of new amphibian and reptile species, reef and 

shipwreck conservation and the conservation of wild horses in Delft Island. 

Dilmah Conservation’s butterfly gardens initiative is aimed at conserving butterflies 

and creating urban sanctuaries for learning more about these elusive, delicate 

creatures that have been subject to various environmental pressures. The butterfly 

garden at the Moratuwa MJF Centre is presently home to over 50 species of butterfly 

out of 245 recorded in Sri Lanka. It became apparent that the preservation of these 

creatures can be easily pursued by anyone with an interest in doing so, as their 

presence is often bound to a combination of preferred host and nectar plants. 

Following the success of this experience, Dilmah Conservation helped establish a 

butterfly garden in Royal College, Colombo and extends its support to maintaining 

the garden at Lady Ridgeway Hospital. 

Dilmah Conservation hopes that this visual guide will be useful to butterfly enthusiasts 

seeking to make their own home gardens more butterfly-friendly, and play a role in 

their conservation. 

Dr. Nirmalee Pallewatte 

Senior Lecturer, Head of Department 

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science 

University of Colombo, Sri Lanka 

08 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 

Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 09

Acknowledgements 

Contents 

The author wishes to thank the following people for their invaluable contributions 

to this field guide: 

Sarath Rajapakshe for the photos used in this publication for the Red helen, Common 

Grass Yellow, Sri Lankan Tree Nymph, Baron, Great Eggfly, Common Bush Brown, 

Tawny Rajah, Ceylon Silverline, Common Hedge Blue, Common Pierrot, Plains Cupid, 

Sri Lankan Tiger, Ormiston’s Oak Blue, Sri Lankan Cerulean and drawings of Sri Lankan 

Indigo Royal and Sri Lankan Clouded Silverline. 

Sarath Rajapkshe and Chamitha De Alwis, the co-authors of “A pocket Guide to the 

butterflies of Sri Lanka”: the work done for this pocket guide allowed for the speedy 

completion of this publication. 

Dr. Michael Van der Pootern for his valuable guidance and encouragement on 

studying butterflies. 

Dr. Nirmalee Pallewatte for her valuable insight and reviewing this publication. 

Dilmah Conservation for providing this worthwhile opportunity towards encouraging 

further study on Sri Lankan butterflies. 

All those who share their field observations to enrich the information available on 

various species of butterflies. 

Foreward 08 

Preface 09 

Acknowledgements 10 

1. Introduction 13 

2. Life Cycle 15 

2.1 Egg 16 

2.2 Larva (caterpillar) 16 

2.2.1 Food 17 

2.2.2 Protective Mechanisms 18 

2.3 Pupa 18 

2.4 Adult Butterfly (Imago) 20 

2.4.1 Food 21 

2.4.2 Protective Mechanisms 21 

2.4.3 Mating 22 

3. Butterflies of Sri Lanka 23 

3.1 List of Butterflies of Sri Lanka 23 

3.2 Distribution of Butterflies in Sri Lanka 29 

3.3 Threats to Butterflies and Their Conservation 31 

3.4 The Study of Butterflies 31 

3.5 How to use this Book 32 

4. Descriptions of Butterflies 33 

5. Endemic Butterflies of Sri Lanka 134 

6. Larval Food Plants of Butterflies 138 

References 172 

Index 174 

Scientific Names 174 

Common Names 175 



1. Introduction 

Butterflies have always been a source of great fascination to us due to their 

delicate, colourful wings. According to scientific classification, these insects 

belong to the Phylum Arthropoda, sharing the characteristics of a segmented 

body, jointed appendages and an external skeleton made of chitin. Crabs, 

lobsters, prawns, scorpions, spiders and millipedes are some other animals that 

belong to this phylum. Butterflies are further categorised under the Class Insecta 

owing to specific characteristics such as having three pairs of legs and body 

segments which are grouped into three main parts: head, thorax and abdomen. 

Insects also have a respiratory system of divided air tubes (tracheae) that are 

open to the surface of the body through openings known as spiracles. At the 

adult stage insects do not have legs attached to their abdomen but those 

restricted to their thorax. The aformentioned physical features are shared by 

butterflies and other insects such as dragonflies, beetles, bees, ants, mantises, 

cockroaches and mosquitoes. 

Butterflies and moths are further sub-categorised under the Order Lepidoptera. 

As such moths and butterflies have two pairs of membranous wings that are 

covered in broad scales together with the body and legs, and mouth parts 

modified to form a proboscis, an elongated tubular appendage originating 

from its head, which is used to feed. Other mouth parts such as mandibles 

are highly reduced or absent. The Order Lepidoptera comprises of 134 living 

families of moths and butterflies. Sri Lankan butterflies are represented across 

six families: Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae, Lycaenidae and Riodinidae 

which are known as true butterflies and Hesperiidae which are known as skipper 

butterflies. All these families belong to the Superfamily Papilionoidea. 

4 th Instar Larva 

Tailed Jay Graphium agamemnon menides 


Kingdom 

Animalia 

Phylum 

Arthropoda 

1a 

1b 

Class 

Lepidoptera 

Super family 

Papilionoidea 

1c 

1d 

Families 

Papilionoidae Pieriddae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Riodinidae Hesperiidae 

1e 

1f 

Figure 1a antennae of a 

butterfly ( Lycaenidae), 

1b antennae of a 

Hesperiid, 1c,1d,1e,1f 

antennae of moths 

Chart. 1 Classification of Butterflies 

The most effective way to differentiate butterflies from moths is the shape of 

their antenna. Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae, Lycaenidae and Riodinidae 

butterflies have club shaped antennae tips, while those of Hesperiidae are 

hook shaped. These front-projecting antennae slightly vary in shape and size 

according to the family. While the antennae of moths can take various shapes, 

they never have club-shaped antennae tips. As some moths hold their antennae 

along their bodies these cannot always be easily observed. Moths can be 

further distinguished from butterflies by the numerous scales on their bodies 

that resemble hair, their large abdomens, and other minor features that are only 

visible under high magnification. While some moths have very small hind wings 

which are concealed at rest, the hindwing of butterflies are clearly visible. 

2. Life Cycle 

Butterflies and moths undergo a physical transformation known as complete 

metamorphosis. This means that they have four distint morphological stages in 

life: egg, larva, pupa and adult butterfly. Generally, the duration of each of these 

phases varies according to species and weather conditions. Variations have also 

been observed among different individuals hatched from the same set of eggs 

and it is assumed that this is related to ensuring the survival of their species. 

For example, during drought conditions the pupal stage tends to last longer to 

assure that the butterfly is able to survive after emerging. 



2.1 Egg 

The first stage of the butterfly life cycle is the egg, which varies in size, shape, 

colour and surface texture depending on the species they belong to. However, 

these characteristics are quite similar within distinct groups of butterflies. A 

butterfly egg has a distinct depression at the top with small pores within, which 

is called the Microphyler Pit. During fertilisation, sperm enter the egg through 

these pores. Once ready, the larva emerges from the egg shell by breaking 

through this fragile area, which generally occurs 3-4 days after the eggs are laid. 

Meso throrax 

Pro throrax 

Head 

Thorax 

Simple eyes 3 

2 

1 

Meta throrax 

Abdomen 

4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

Antenna 

Mandible 

Thoracic 

legs 

Spiracles 

Pro legs 

Pro leg 

Anus 

14 

2a 

2b 2c 2d 

Figure 4 structure of the larva 

2.2 Larva (Caterpillar) 

Figure 2a Papilionidae, 2b Pieridae, 

2c Danainae, 2d Nymphalinae 

Generally the larval phase lasts between 15-20 days. After coming out of the 

egg, the larva rids itself of its external skin about 5-6 times in a process known 

as moulting, growing larger with each shedding. The three groupings of their 

body segments are visible even at this stage. Larvae also have additional pro 

legs (see Figure 4 below) to maneuver the abdomen, which disappear by the 

time it reaches adult stage. In this larval phase it only has simple eyes, and its 

antennae are highly reduced. Further, unlike in the adult stage, butterfly larvae 

have chewing appendages which they use to feed on solid materials. 

2.2.1 Food 

The first meal of the larva is its own egg shell which contains very high 

nutritional value including calcium and protein. Large butterfly larvae (e.g. 

Family Papilionidae) devour the whole egg shell, while small butterfly larvae (e.g. 

Family Lycaenidae) only partially eat the shell. Some species also consume their 

moulted external skin. 

Larvae obtain most of their food from plant materials, except for a few carnivorous 

species such as the Ape Fly (Spalgis epeus). Butterfly larvae only feed on specific 

plants which contain the the nutritional and chemical components required for 

their growth and survival. Such species-specific plants are called ‘butterfly larval 

food plants’ (LFPs). Most butterfly larvae feed on immature leaves, but some feed 

on mature leaves, flowers, flower buds, fruits, seeds and aerial roots. 

Some species are able to take up toxins into their bodies from these materials 

and retain them throughout their life cycle as a protection mechanism as these 

toxins make them unpalatable to predators. This is seen among species such as 

the Glassy Tiger (Parantica aglea) and the Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae). 

3a 3b 3c 

Figure 3. Red Helen Papilio helenus 

3a 1 th Instar Larva, 3b 3 rd Instar Larva, 3c 5 th Instar Larva 



2.2.2 Protective mechanisms 

Butterfly larvae use several methods to overcome threats from parasitoids such 

as wasps and predators such as birds. Parasitoids lay eggs on butterfly larvae 

and in turn, the parasitoid larvae devour internal parts of the the butterfly larvae. 

When they pupate, the butterfly larvae die. Therefore, butterfly larvae use their 

body shape, colour and pattern along with their habits and habitats to overcome 

these threats. 

Some species even weave a thread across its thorax for additional support to 

reinforce its attachment to the surface. Subsequently, it moults its skin and forms 

a new layer of skin which encases all its bodily appendages. This process usually 

occurs at night time and the new skin hardens after about an hour. This pupal 

stage generally lasts about 10 days. As the pupae are sedentary and have a thick, 

protective outer skin, threats from predators during this phase are lower. Even 

so, some species also adopt precautions such as camouflage and hiding within 

woven leaf cells (i.e. Hesperids). 

Many nocturnal butterfly larvae are very darkly coloured and live under leaf 

litter during the day (e.g. Grey Pansy Junonia atlites). Some species such as 

the Sri Lankan Rose (Pachliopta jophon) tend to live under the surface of the 

leaves. Those that live on the upper surface of the leaves are green in colour to 

camouflage themselves against their backdrop (e.g. Lemon Migrant Catopsilia 

pomona). Others employ vibrant colours as warning to predators (e.g. Mime 

Papilio clytia). Moreover, Lycaenid larvae adopt a mutually-beneficial relationship 

with ants. The larvae provide the ants with ‘honeydew’ in return for protection 

from predators such as birds and lizards, and parasitoids. 

Probosics 

Antenna 

Fore wing bud 

Spiracales 

Head 

Eye 

Thorax 

Abdomen 

Figure 6 structure of the pupa 

5a 5b 5c 

5d 

5e 

Figure 5. Butterfly larvae, 

5a Papilionidae, 5b Pieridae, 

5c Nymphalinae, 5d Lycaenidae, 

5e Hesperiidae 

7a 7b 7c 


2.3 Pupa 

After the larva moults for the final time, it transforms into a sedentary form 

known as the pupa. After completing its consumption of food, the larva rests for 

about a day becoming shorter than before by expelling all digested materials 

out of its body. It uses the last segment of its body to attach itself onto a surface. 

7d 7e 7f 

Figure 7. Butterfly pupae , 7a Papilionidae, 7b Pieridae, 

7c Danainae, 7d Nymphalinae, 7e Lycaenidae, 7f Hesperiidae 


2.4 Adult butterfly (Imago) 

Following a series of dramatic changes which takes place within the pupa, the 

adult butterfly is ready for emergence. The wings and other appendages of the 

adult butterfly become visible through the pupal case when it is ready to come 

out in a process which is known as eclosion. The butterfly splits open the pupal 

case, typically in the early hours of the morning before predators become active. 

Initially, the butterfly looks peculiar due to its large abdomen and shrunken 

wings. The butterfly is also especially vulnerable during this period as it cannot 

fly yet. After emerging from the pupa, it latches onto the pupal case or any 

other viable surface to hang down from. This position allows for the butterfly’s 

abdomen to deflate as its liquid contents are pumped into the veins of the 

wings. The butterfly then spreads its wings and the pumped liquid is solidified, 

giving strength to the wings. After about an hour, the butterfly is ready to fly. 

8 

7 

6 

9 

8 

7 

Apex 

5 6 

Cell 4 5 

Fore wing 

3 4 

2 3 

1b 

Inter space 

2 

1a 

1a 

7 

1b 

1b 

Cell 6 7 

5 

6 

Veins 

4 

2 

Hind wing 

3 5 

1a 

2 

3 

Anal angle 

Upper margin 

Head 

4 

Outer margin 

Tornus 

Thorax 

Wing bases 

Abdomen 

Note 

veins are numbered 

along the wing 

margin, inter spaces 

are numbered within 

the wing 

2.4.1 Food 

In its final stage the butterfly mainly seeks to breed and propagate its generation 

while prevailing over threats from predators. Energy from food consumed by 

the butterfly in its final stage is channeled towards these activities rather than 

for physical growth. Their food intake is entirely comprised of liquid except for 

tiny pollen grains that may have mixed in the nectar. While butterflies are mostly 

seen to feed on flower nectar, they also eagerly suck on rotting fruit, tree sap, 

dead animals, human sweat, bird droppings and other fecal material. 

Even though species have not been observed to exclusively feed on specific 

nectar plants, many butterflies do display a food preference. For example, 

the Sri Lankan Birdwing (Troides darsius) especially favours Mussaenda frondosa 

(uqiaiekao) flowers. The selection of species of flowers by butterflies depends on 

various parameters such as flying height, feeding behavior, the length of the 

proboscis of the butterfly and various differences in flowers such as the length 

of the corolla tube, alignment and the period of anthesis (the time for which the 

flower is in full bloom). Butterflies also show another feeding habit dubbed mud 

puddling whereby they suck on wet soil to obtain minerals. While this habit is 

largely restricted to males, some females that belong to species which are long 

distance fliers also mud puddle (e.g. Sri Lankan Lesser Albatross Appias galene). 

2.4.2 Protective Mechanisms 

Even though they are sometimes brilliantly coloured, butterflies use camouflage 

techniques to a great extent to protect themselves against predators (e.g. Sri 

Lankan Blue Oakleaf Kallima philarchus). ‘Eye spots’ (Ocelli) which feature on the 

wings of butterflies also complement their survival in two ways. Many Nymphalid 

butterflies use these ‘eye spots’ to threaten predators, for these create the illusion 

of a large predator’s face. 

Antenna 

Compound eye 

Labial palp 

Probosics 

Figure 8. parts of the body of an adult butterfly 

Legs 

Spiracles 

Secondly, species such as Lycanids use the ‘eye spots’ to deceive predators. This 

spot located at the tornus (the posterior corner of the hind wing) coupled with 

the minute tail that resembles antennae give the misleading impression of a 

false head, while the butterfly’s real head remains concealed. This false head is 

further exaggerated by the rubbing of the butterfly’s wings, giving momentum 

to the false antennae. Predators attack this false head and if caught the butterfly 

is able to fly away leaving a part of its wing in the predator’s mouth. 

‘Mimicry’ is another method of deception used by butterflies for survival. These 

species mimic poisonous butterflies in both colouration and habits even though 

they are not poisonous in reality (e.g. Mimes (Papilio clytia) mimic Crows and 

Tigers). Usually, birds keep away from these butterflies. 




2.4.3 Mating 

Typically, depending on their species, males use three methods to find mates. 

The most common method is to search in proximity to their larval food plants as 

female butterflies do not stray far away from these (e.g. Tamil Yeoman Cirrochroa 

thais). The second is known as the ‘wait and see’ method, whereby the male perches 

in a place with a clear view of the surrounding area, and when another butterfly 

flies past, the male pursues the newcomer to seek out whether it is suited (e.g. Sri 

Lankan Blue Oakleaf Kallima philarchus ). The most interesting of these methods, 

is ‘hill topping’ which is practiced by species that have low population numbers. 

These butterflies climb up an isolated hill that is surrounded by plains and meet 

at the summit (e.g. Tawny Rajah Charaxes psaphon). This is a variation from usual 

butterfly migration, a phenomenon which is still not completely understood. 

Butterfly migration is mainly seen to follow the North-East monsoon, when 

large swarms of butterflies fly towards the same direction within the island. It 

starts in the dry zone and spreads into the wet zone and the highest hills. Some 

butterflies can even be seen far away from their breeding grounds during this 

season. Migratory species are categorised as such in the detailed species profiles. 

After a male locates a female, some species exhibit striking displays of courtship 

prior to mating. While the role of the male butterfly is complete after mating, 

the female still has the important task of finding the right larval food plant to lay 

its eggs. This plant searching behaviour can be recognised by an experienced 

butterfly enthusiast. When the butterfly has found a suitable plant, it chooses an 

appropriate place to lay its eggs; a location which varies according to species. 

Certain species lie on the ground nearby to protect eggs from parasitoids (e.g. 

Chocolate Soldier Junonia iphita). Eggs are attached to the surface by a sort of 

glue that the butterfly discharges when it lays its eggs. While many butterfly 

species lay multiple single eggs, some others lay eggs in batches. Even though 

these butterflies lay a lot of eggs, only a few survive to adulthood, as many are 

eaten by predators and parasitoids during the course of their lifecycle. 

3. Butterflies of Sri Lanka 

As Sri Lanka is an island that is geographically isolated by the Indian Ocean, there 

is a perceived absence of migrant butterflies from other ecologically different 

landmasses, which is a fairly distinct feature of countries such as India and 

Singapore. Some species such as the Crimson Rose have been seen flying out into 

sea in the outskirts of the coast, even though their final destination has not yet 

been identified. Due to this reason, a number of butterfly species in the country 

do not see an annual increase, as in the case of birds. Nevertheless, two new 

species, the Yellow Palm Dart (Cephrenes trichopepla) and the Orange Migrant 

(Catopsilia scylla), were observed to have colonised the island recently. As the 

homelands of these species are quite far apart, it is suspected that these species 

found their way to Sri Lanka through the ornamental plant trade, in the import 

of various palm species and Cassia surattensis respectively. 

At present, Sri Lanka is inhabited by 246 butterfly species, 26 of which are 

endemic to the island. 

The classification of families used in this book is from the recent phylogenetic 

analysis conducted by van Nieukerken et. al. (2011), which merged three 

previously known Superfamilies of butterflies, skippers and moth butterflies 

into a single Superfamily: Papilionoidea. All the Papilionoidea families are 

represented in Sri Lanka, except for Hedylidae. The arrangement of families and 

the species within the those families is adopted from d’Abrera (1998), since no 

phylogenetic sequences have been published at species level. The nomenclature 

of the species was adopted from van der Poorten (2014). Subsequent to a major 

change made in the 2012 Red Data List, the scientific name of the Beak was 

changed after Kawhara (2013), as it was previously identified incorrectly as 

Libythea celtis (Laicharting 1728) which referred to a butterfly from Southern 

Europe, Northwestern Africa, Southern Russia and Western India. Also the 

previously identified Pelopidas thrax subochracea is now classified as P. subochracea, 

Potanthus confuscius as P. satra, and Telicota ancilla as T. bambusae. The taxonomic 

analysis of species is still an ongoing process and some names will be subject to 

change. Included also is the Tamil Oakblue (Arhopala bazaloides lanka), a species 

that was long thought to be extinct, which was recently re-discovered in the wet 

zone lowland forests of Sinharaja and Kanneliya. 

3.1 List of Butterflies of Sri Lanka 

*Endemic species are denoted as (E) 

Papilionidae 

1 Troides darsius (Gray, [1853]) Sri Lankan Birdwing (E) 

2 Pachliopta hector (Linnaeus, 1758) Crimson Rose 

3 Pachliopta jophon (Gray, [1853]) Sri Lankan Rose (E) 

4 Pachliopta aristolochiae (Fabricius, 1775) Common Rose 

5 Papilio crino Fabricius, 1793 Banded Peacock 

6 Papilio demoleus Linnaeus, 1758 Lime Butterfly 

7 Papilio helenus Linnaeus, 1758 Red Helen 

8 Papilio polytes Linnaeus, 1758 Common Mormon 

9 Papilio polymnestor Cramer, [1775] Blue Mormon 

10 Papilio clytia Linnaeus, 1758 Mime 


11 Graphium sarpedon (Linnaeus, 1758) Bluebottle 

12 Graphium doson (C. & R. Felder, 1864) Common Jay 

13 Graphium agamemnon (Linnaeus, 1758) Tailed Jay 

14 Graphium nomius (Esper, 1785) Spot Swordtail 

15 Graphium antiphates (Cramer, [1775]) Five bar Swordtail 

Pieridae 

16 Leptosia nina Fabricius, 1793 Psyche 

17 Delias eucharis Drury, 1773 Jezebel 

18 Prioneris sita (C. & R. Felder, 1865) Painted Sawtooth 

19 Belenois aurota (Fabricius, 1793) Pioneer 

20 Cepora nerissa (Fabricius, 1775) Common Gull 

21 Cepora nadina (Lucas, 1852) Lesser Gull 

22 Appias indra (Moore, 1857) Plain Puffin 

23 Appias libythea (Fabricius, 1775) Striped Albatross 

24 Appias lyncida (Cramer, [1777]) Chocolate Albatross 

25 Appias albina (Boisduval, 1836) Common Albatross 

26 Appias galene (C. & R. Felder, 1865) Sri Lankan Lesser Albatross (E) 

27 Ixias marianne Cramer, 1779 White Orange Tip 

28 Ixias pyrene Linnaeus, 1764 Yellow Orange Tip 

29 Hebomoia glaucippe Linnaeus, 1758 Great Orange Tip 

30 Catopsilia pyranthe (Linnaeus, 1758) Mottled Emigrant 

31 Catopsilia pomona (Fabricius, 1775) Lemon Emigrant 

32 Catopsilia scylla (Linnaeus, 1763) Orange Migrant 

33 Pareronia ceylanica C. & R. Felder, 1865 Dark Wanderer 

34 Colotis amata (Fabricius, 1775) Small Salmon Arab 

35 Colotis fausta (Olivier, 1804) Large Salmon Arab 

36 Colotis danae (Fabricius, 1775) Crimson Tip 

37 Colotis aurora (Cramer, 1780) Plain Orange Tip 

38 Colotis etrida (Boisduval, 1836) Little Orange Tip 

39 Eurema brigitta (Stoll, [1780]) Small Grass Yellow 

40 Eurema laeta (Boisduval, 1836) Spotless Grass Yellow 

41 Eurema hecabe (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Grass Yellow 

42 Eurema blanda (Boisduval, 1836 Three Spot Grass Yellow 

43 Eurema ormistoni (Watkins, 1925) Sri Lankan One-Spot Grass Yellow (E) 

Nymphalidae 

44 Idea iasonia (Westwood, 1848) Sri Lankan Tree Nymph (E) 

45 Ideopsis similis (Linnaeus, 1758) Blue Glassy Tiger 

46 Tirumala limniace (Cramer, 1775) Blue Tiger 

47 Tirumala septentrionis (Butler, 1874) Dark Blue Tiger 

48 Parantica aglea (Stoll, 1782) Glassy Tiger 

49 Parantica taprobana (C. & R. Felder, [1865]) Sri Lankan Tiger (E) 

50 Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758) Plain Tiger 

51 Danaus genutia (Cramer, [1779]) Common Tiger 

52 Euploea core (Cramer, 1780) Common Crow 

53 Euploea sylvester (Fabricius, 1793) Double Branded Crow 

54 Euploea phaenareta (Schaller, 1785) Great Crow / King Crow 

55 Euploea klugii Moore, [1858] Brown King Crow 

56 Ariadne ariadne (Linnaeus, 1763) Angled Castor 

57 Ariadne merione (Cramer, 1777) Common Castor 

58 Byblia ilithyia (Drury, 1773) Joker 

59 Cupha erymanthis (Drury, 1773) Rustic 

60 Phalanta phalantha (Drury, 1773) Leopard 

61 Phalanta alcippe (Stoll, 1782) Small Leopard 

62 Vindula erota (Fabricius, 1793) Cruiser 

63 Cirrochroa thais (Fabricius, 1787) Tamil Yeoman 

64 Cethosia nietneri C. & R. Felder, [1867] Ceylon Lace Wing 

65 Argynnis hyperbius (Linnaeus, 1763) Indian Fritillary 

66 Vanessa indica (Herbst, 1794) Indian Red Admiral 

67 Vanessa cardui (Linnaeus, 1758) Painted Lady 

68 Kaniska canace (Linnaeus, 1763) Blue Admiral 

69 Junonia lemonias (Linnaeus, 1758) Lemon Pansy 

70 Junonia orithya (Linnaeus, 1758) Blue Pansy 

71 Junonia hierta (Linnaeus, 1798) Yellow Pansy 

72 Junonia atlites (Linnaeus, 1763) Grey Pansy 

73 Junonia iphita (Cramer, 1779) Chocolate Soldier 

74 Junonia almana (Linnaeus, 1758) Peacock Pansy 

75 Hypolimnas bolina (Linnaeus, 1758) Great Eggfly / Common Eggfly 

76 Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus, 1764) Danaid Eggfly 

77 Doleschallia bisaltide (Cramer, 1777) Autumn Leaf 

78 Kallima philarchus (Westwood, 1848) Sri Lankan Blue Oak Leaf (E) 

79 Pantoporia hordonia (Stoll, 1790) Common Lascar 

80 Neptis hylas (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Sailor 

81 Neptis jumbah Moore, [1858] Chestnut Streaked Sailor 

82 Moduza procris (Cramer, 1777) Commander 

83 Parthenos sylvia (Cramer, [1776]) Clipper 

84 Symphaedra nais (Forster, 1771) Baronet 

85 Dophla evelina (Stoll, 1790)) Red spot Duke 

86 Euthalia lubentina (Cramer, 1777) Gaudy Baron 

87 Euthalia aconthea (Cramer, 1777) Baron 

88 Rohana parisatis (Westwood, 1850) Black Prince 

89 Polyura athamas (Drury, [1773]) Nawab 

90 Charaxes solon (Fabricius, 1793) Black Rajah 

91 Charaxes psaphon Westwood, 1847 Tawny Rajah 

92 Libythea laius Trimen, 1879 Beak 

93 Libythea myrrha Godart, 1819 Club Beak 

94 Acraea violae (Fabricius, 1793) Tawny Coster 



95 Discophora lepida (Moore, 1857) Southern Duffer 

96 Melanitis leda (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Evening Brown 

97 Melanitis phedima (Cramer, [1780]) Dark Evening Brown 

98 Lethe drypetis (Hewitson, 1863) Tamil Treebrown 

99 Lethe daretis (Hewitson, 1863) Sri Lankan Treebrown (E) 

100 Lethe dynsate (Hewitson, 1863) Sri Lankan Forester (E) 

101 Lethe rohria (Fabricius, 1787) Common Treebrown 

102 Orsotriaena medus (Fabricius, 1775) Nigger / Medus Brown 

103 Mycalesis subdita (Moore, 1892) Sri Lankan Tamil Bushbrown (E) 

104 Mycalesis mineus (Linnaeus, 1758) Dark-Brand Bushbrown 

105 Mycalesis perseus (Fabricius, 1775) Common Bushbrown 

106 Mycalesis rama (Moore, 1892) Sri Lankan Bushbrown (E) 

107 Mycalesis patnia Moore, 1857 Gladeye Bushbrown 

108 Ypthima ceylonica Hewitson, 1864 White Four-ring 

109 Ypthima singala R. Felder, 1868 Sri Lankan Jewel Four-ring (E) 

110 Elymnias hypermnestra (Linnaeus, 1763) Common Palmfly 

111 Elymnias singhala Moore, [1875] Sri Lankan Palmfly (E) 

Lycaenidae 

112 Spalgis epeus (Westwood, 1851) Apefly 

113 Curetis thetis (Drury, 1773) Indian Sunbeam 

114 Arhopala abseus (Hewitson, 1862) Aberrant Bushblue 

115 Arhopala amantes (Hewitson, 1862) Large Oakblue 

116 Arhopala bazaloides Hewitson, 1878 Tamil Oakblue 

117 Arhopala ormistoni Riley, 1920 Sri Lankan Ormiston’s Oakblue (E) 

118 Arhopala centaurus (Fabricius, 1775) Centaur Oakblue 

119 Surendra quercetorum (Moore, [1858]) Common Acacia Blue 

120 Zesius chrysomallus Hübner, 1821 Redspot 

121 Amblypodia anita Hewitson, 1862 Purple Leaf Blue 

122 Iraota timoleon (Stoll, 1790) Silver Streak Blue 

123 Catapaecilma major Druce, 1895 Common Tinsel 

124 Loxura atymnus (Stoll, 1780) Yamfly 

125 Rathinda amor (Fabricius, 1775) Monkey-puzzle 

126 Horaga onyx (Moore, [1858]) Blue Onyx 

127 Horaga albimaculata Wood-Mason & de Nicéville, 1881 Brown Onyx 

128 Cheritra freja (Fabricius, 1793) Common Imperial 

129 Spindasis lohita (Horsfield, [1829]) Long-banded Silverline 

130 Spindasis vulcanus (Fabricius, 1775) Common Silverline 

131 Spindasis schistacea (Moore, 1881) Plumbeous Silverline 

132 Spindasis ictis (Hewitson, 1865) Common Shot Silverline 

133 Spindasis elima (Moore, 1877) Scarce Shot Silverline 

134 Spindasis nubilus (Moore, [1887]) Sri Lankan Clouded Silverline (E) 

135 Spindasis greeni Heron, 1896 Sri Lankan Green’s Silverline (E) 

136 Tajuria cippus (Fabricius, 1798) Peacock Royal 

137 Tajuria jehana Moore, [1884] Plains Blue Royal 

138 Tajuria arida Riley, 1923 Sri Lankan Indigo Royal (E) 

139 Pratapa deva (Moore, [1858]) White Royal 

140 Hypolycaena nilgirica Moore, [1884] Nilgiri Tit 

141 Bindahara phocides (Fabricius, 1793) Plane 

142 Virachola perse (Hewitson, 1863) Large Guava Blue 

143 Virachola isocrates (Fabricius, 1793) Common Guava Blue 

144 Rapala iarbus (Fabricius, 1787) Indian Red Flash 

145 Rapala manea (Hewitson, 1863) Slate Flash 

146 Rapala varuna (Horsfield, [1829]) Indigo Flash 

147 Rapala lankana Moore, 1879 Malabar Flash 

148 Deudorix epijarbas (Moore, 1857) Cornelian 

149 Anthene lycaenina (R. Felder, 1868) Pointed Ciliate Blue 

150 Petrelaea dana (de Nicéville, [1884]) Dingy Lineblue 

151 Nacaduba pactolus (C. Felder, 1860) Large Four Lineblue 

152 Nacaduba hermus (C. Felder, 1860) Pale Four Lineblue 

153 Nacaduba ollyetti Corbet, 1947 Sri Lankan Woodhouse’s Four Lineblue (E) 

154 Nacaduba berenice (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) Rounded Six Lineblue 

155 Nacaduba sinhala Ormiston, 1924 Sri Lankan Pale Six Lineblue (E) 

156 Nacaduba kurava (Moore, [1858]) Transparent Six Lineblue 

157 Nacaduba beroe (C. & R. Felder, [1865]) Opaque Six Lineblue 

158 Nacaduba calauria (C. Felder, 1860) Dark Ceylon Six Lineblue 

159 Prosotas nora (C. Felder, 1860) Common Lineblue 

160 Prosotas dubiosa (Semper, [1879]) Tailless Lineblue 

161 Prosotas noreia (R. Felder, 1868) White-tipped Lineblue 

162 Ionolyce helicon (C. Felder, 1860) Pointed Lineblue 

163 Jamides bochus (Stoll, [1782]) Dark Cerulean 

164 Jamides coruscans (Moore, 1877) Sri Lankan Cerulean (E) 

165 Jamides lacteata (de Nicéville, 1895) Sri Lankan Milky Cerulean (E) 

166 Jamides alecto (C. Felder, 1860) Metallic Cerulean 

167 Jamides celeno (Cramer, [1775]) Common Cerulean 

168 Catochrysops panormus (C. Felder, 1860) Silver Forget-me-not 

169 Catochrysops strabo (Fabricius, 1793) Forget-me-not 

170 Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767) Pea Blue 

171 Leptotes plinius (Fabricius, 1793) Zebra Blue 

172 Castalius rosimon (Fabricius, 1775) Common Pierrot 

173 Discolampa ethion (Westwood, 1851) Banded Blue Pierrot 

174 Caleta decidia (Hewitson, 1876) Angled Pierrot 

175 Tarucus callinara Butler, 1886 Buttler’s Spotted Pierrot 

176 Tarucus nara (Kollar, 1848) Striped Pierrot 

177 Freyeria putli (Kollar, [1844]) Grass Jewel 

178 Zizeeria karsandra (Moore, 1865) Dark Grass Blue 

179 Zizina otis (Fabricius, 1787) Lesser Grass Blue 

180 Zizula hylax (Fabricius, 1775) Tiny Grass Blue 

181 Talicada nyseus (Guérin- Méneville, 1843) Red Pierrot 



182 Everes lacturnus (Godart, 1824) Indian Cupid 

183 Azanus ubaldus (Stoll, [1782]) Bright Babul Blue 

184 Azanus jesous Guérin-Méneville, 1849 African Babul Blue 

185 Acytolepis lilacea (Hampson, 1889) Hampson’s Hedge Blue 

186 Acytolepis puspa (Horsfield, 1828) Common Hedge Blue 

187 Celastrina lavendularis (Moore, 1877) Plain Hedge Blue 

188 Udara singalensis (R. Felder, 1868) Singalese Hedge Blue 

189 Udara akasa mavisa (Horsfield, [1828]) White Hedge Blue 

190 Udara lanka (Moore, 1877) Sri Lankan Hedge Blue (E) 

191 Neopithicops zalmora (Butler, [1870]) Quaker 

192 Megisba malaya (Horsfield, [1828]) Malayan 

193 Euchrysops cnejus (Fabricius, 1798) Gram Blue 

194 Chilades pandava (Horsfield, 1829) Plains Cupid 

195 Chilades lajus (Stoll, 1780) Lime Blue 

196 Chilades parrhasius (Fabricius, 1793) Small Cupid 

Riodinidae 

197 Abisara echerius (Stoll, 1790) Plum Judy 

Hesperiidae 


198 Burara oedipodea (Swainson, [1820]) Branded Orange Awlet 

199 Bibasis sena (Moore, [1865]) Orange-Tailed Awl 

200 Badamia exclamationis (Fabricius, 1775) Brown Awl 

201 Choaspes benjaminii (Guérin-Méneville, 1843) Indian Awl King 

202 Gangara thyrsis (Fabricius, 1775) Giant Red Eye 

203 Gangara lebadea (Hewiston, 1868) Banded Red Eye 

204 Hasora chromus (Cramer, [1780]) Common Banded Awl 

205 Hasora taminatus (Hübner, [1818]) White Banded Awl 

206 Hasora badra (Moore, [1858]) Ceylon Awl 

207 Celaenorrhinus spilothyrus (R. Felder, 1868) Sri Lankan Black Flat (E) 

208 Coladenia indrani (Moore, [1866]) Tricolour Pied Flat 

209 Sarangesa dasahara Moore, 1886 Common Small Flat 

210 Tapena thwaitesi Moore, [1881] Black Angle 

211 Tagiades japetus (Stoll, [1781]) Ceylon Snow Flat 

212 Tagiades litigiosa Möschler, 1878 Water Snow Flat 

213 Caprona ransonnettii (R. Felder, 1868) Golden Angle 

214 Caprona alida (de Nicéville, 1891) Ceylon Golden Angle 

215 Gomalia elma (Trimen, 1862) African Marbled Skipper 

216 Baracus vittatus (C. Felder, 1862) Sri Lankan Hedge Hopper (E) 

217 Ampittia dioscorides Fabricius, 1793 Bush Hopper 

218 Thoressa decorata (Moore, 1881) Sri Lankan Decorated Ace (E) 

219 Halpe egena R. Felder, 1868 Rare Ace 

220 Halpe ceylonica Moore, 1878 Ceylon Ace 

221 Suastus gremius (Fabricius, 1798) Indian Palm Bob 

222 Suastus minuta (Moore, 1877) Small Palm Bob 

223 Iambrix salsala (Moore, [1866]) Chestnut Bob 

224 Udaspes folus (Cramer, [1775]) Grass Demon 

225 Notocrypta paralysos (Wood-Mason & de Nicéville, 1881) Common Banded Demon 

226 Notocrypta curvifascia (C. & R. Felder, 1862) Restricted Demon 

227 Hyarotis adrastus (Stoll, [1780]) Tree Flitter 

228 Matapa aria (Moore, [1866]) Common Red Eye 

229 Spialia galba (Fabricius, 1793) Indian Skipper 

230 Taractrocera maevius (Fabricius, 1793) Common Grass Dart 

231 Oriens goloides (Moore, [1881]) Common Dartlet 

232 Potanthus pallida (Evans, 1932) Indian Dart 

233 Potanthus pseudomaesa (Moore, [1881]) Common Dart 

234 Potanthus satra Fruhstorfer, 1911 Tropic Dart 

235 Telicota colon (Fabricius, 1775) Pale Palm Dart 

236 Telicota bambusae (Moore, 1878) Dark Palm Dart 

237 Cephrenes trichopepla (Lower, 1908) Yellow Palm Dart 

238 Borbo cinnara Wallace, 1866 Wallace’s Swift 

239 Pelopidas agna (Moore, [1866]) Little Branded Swift 

240 Pelopidas mathias (Fabricius, 1798) Small Branded Swift 

241 Pelopidas subochracea Moore, 1878 Large Branded Swift 

242 Pelopidas conjuncta (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) Conjoined Swift 

243 Baoris penicillata Moore, [1881] Sri Lankan Paint Brush Swift (E) 

244 Caltoris kumara (Moore, 1878) Blank Swift 

245 Caltoris philippina (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) Philippine Swift 

246 Parnara bada (Moore, 1878) Smallest Swift 

3.2 Distribution of Butterflies in Sri Lanka 

The Distribution of butterflies within Sri Lanka is predominantly determined 

by the distribution of larval food plants, coupled with some other secondary 

considerations. Sri Lanka can be divided into five major zones in relation to the 

distribution of butterflies. 

While the hill country and wet zone bear the highest number of endemic 

species, an absence of endemic species in the coastal belt of the wet zone has 

been observed due to increased urbanisation. As such, the population variations 

in butterflies in the wet zone are hardly noticeable, with only a slight drop in 

numbers during May to July, when the rainfall is at its highest. Meanwhile, in 

the hill country, the butterfly population is distinctly high in the first half of the 

year, diminishing in the later months, and sometimes vanishing entirely during 

misty spells. 


The dry zone is inhabited by a different set of butterflies that also show marked 

seasonal population fluctuations. In this area, butterflies start to fly en masse 

after the North-Eastern monsoonal rains begin in late October. This peak remains 

until the end of March and keep decreasing until August-September, when it 

becomes difficult to find butterflies except in wet forest habitats such as in the 

immediate catchment area of reservoirs. 

The intermediate zone, where the three aforementioned wet, dry and hill 

country zones merge, bears the highest number of butterfly species. This zone 

contains species that are found in the other zones, save for those species adapted 

to specific conditions. Some species prefer this confluence habitat far more than 

the the other zones (e.g. Autumn Leaf - Doleschallia bisaltide, Beak - Libythea laius). 

A favorable season also persists in this area from late October, lasting until late 

May and sometimes extending up to June. 

Sri Lanka’s northern region is inhabited by dry zone butterflies together with 

some species that are confined to thorny scrublands habitats. As in the dry zone, 

the butterfly season in this zone peaks with the beginning of the rains, but ends 

fairly quickly. 

Hill Country 

Wet Zone 

Intermediate Zone 

Dry Zone 

Nothern Zone 

3.3 Threats to Butterflies and their Conservation 

The main threat to butterflies, along with other wildlife at large, is the loss of 

their natural habitat. While the complete destruction of a habitat is apparent 

to any person, habitat degradation also poses a considerable threat to small 

species like butterflies. These delicate butterflies require tremendously specific 

micro habitat conditions for their survival. Over-exposure to sunlight caused by 

tree felling, adjustments to the chemical composition of their feeding material 

due to pesticides, changes to population dynamics causes by unexpected 

weather conditions, and alterations to habitats caused by invasive plant species 

inherently influence the survival of these species. 

From a conservation point of view, butterflies can be divided into two categories. 

The most significant of these are the category of butterflies that need very 

specific habitat requirements in pristine forest habitats. In Sri Lanka, these 

habitats are consistently diminishing, and the conservation of these spaces is 

of prime importance. The second category of butterflies does not need such 

specific conditions, and these can be conserved even within human habitations 

through the introduction of slight adjustments to the environment. 

Any butterfly enthusiast can easily take part in conservation processes focused on 

the second category. Firstly, one could gather knowledge about the butterflies in 

and around ones area, both by reference and more importantly, individual field 

studies. These activities can help with gaining a considerable understanding 

of butterflies and how one’s home garden can be adapted to attract them by 

planting suitable larval food plants and nectar plants, and avoiding the use of 

chemical pesticides. Through this, one can carry on learning about butterflies 

even at home, and will no doubt provide extraordinary satisfaction. Those who 

are interested in further engaging with the protection of butterflies can actively 

participate in conservation processes for threatened species. 

3.4 The Study of Butterflies 

The most important thing one needs to study butterflies is the desire and 

commitment to learn about these tiny, fascinating creatures. Keen eyes and 

an analytical mind are necessary to further explore ones observations and 

environment. If a butterfly is disturbed, the chance of studying its activities is 

lost and any efforts at doing so will come to an end. It is important to wear dullcoloured 

clothing to better blend into the environment. It is also good practice 

to bring a note book and a pencil to the field note down any observations. This 

will no doubt help in analysing data collected, and in comparing field notes with 

published information, or even discussing observations with fellow-enthusiasts. 



3.5 How to use this Book 

This book contains individual descriptions 

of 100 selected species of butterflies. 

Many of these species are found in human 

settlements, while a few others are found in 

the wild. Descriptions contain information 

on how to identify adult butterflies 

including distinguishing features, sexual 

and seasonal differences, and their habits 

and habitats. Some details on larval food 

plants have also been provided, and the 

distribution of these butterflies has been 

illustrated with the use of maps. It is also 

necessary to note that butterflies are not 

evenly distributed in the areas shown in 

the maps, but are found in suitable habitats 

within these marked areas. 

Colour Code 

Papilionidae 

Pieridae 

Nymphalidae 

Lycaenidae 

Lower 

Illustrations 

Endemic 

Upper 

Captions of 

illustrations 

Riodinidae 

Hesperiidae 

Endemic 

Family 

name 

Family 

colour 

code 

Common name 

Scientific name 

Physical 

characteristics 

LFPs 

Size 

Red Data 

Status 

Habits 

L 

Large 

Wing span > = 100 mm 

M 

Medium 

100 mm > wingspan < = 60 mm 

S 

T 

Small 

60 mm > wingspan < = 30 mm 

Sizes 

Tiny 

30 mm > wingspan 

Habitats and 

distribution 

Red Data Status 

The following data for the species have been included based on records for 2012 

EX Extinct, CR Critically Endangered, EN Endangered, VU Vulnerable, 

NT Near Threatened, LC Least Concerned, DD Data Deficient, NE Not Evaluated 

EX 

CR 

EN 

Extinct Threatened Lower Risk 

VU NT LC DD NE 

Distribution map 

More Abundant 

Absent 

Less Abundant 

LFPs 

Larval food plants 

Scientific name 

Common Sinhala name 



L 

Sri Lankan Birdwing Troides darsius 

Crimson Rose Pachliopta hector 

LC E L 

LC 

Papilionidae 

Male 

Female 

Male: Jet black throughout on both sides; large golden yellow patch on the hind 

wing separated by black veins. Female: Typically bigger than the male; chalky black 

butterfly with white dustings beside the forewing veins; a variable golden yellow 

patch on the hind wing is reduced to form a separate, central patch and a submarginal 

row of patches. Distinct red patches on the thorax are seen in both sexes. 

The Sri Lankan Birdwing flies very high in strong wing beats. While this butterfly is fond 

of feeding on flowers at higher levels, it will occasionally descend down to flowers at 

lower levels even though it does not typically fly within this range. A special attraction 

to Mussaenda frondosa (uqiaiekao) flowers has been observed. Females prefer to lay 

eggs on high-climbing vines. This is a migrant species. 

Both sexes are similar in pattern, but the females are quite big and dull in colouration. 

The Crimson Rose is a black butterfly with two white bands on the forewing and two 

rows of bright crimson patches on the hind wing. The shapes of the crimson patches 

vary. The outer margin is serrated and the tornus extends in to a tail in the hind 

wing. Its abdomen, thorax and head always have crimson patches. These patches are 

reduced in females. 

The Crimson Rose visits the flowers of scrubs and some varieties of taller herbs, in 

groups. They are quite dormant and stop over at flowers near the ground in the early 

hours of the day, but become very active towards noon. Occasionally they can be 

seen mud puddling in small numbers. This is a migratory species. 

Papilionidae 

This butterfly prefers forested areas, but also can be seen in lush home gardens. It is 

a common butterfly in the low country wet zone, becoming scarce towards the hills 

and dry zone. 

This endemic species is the national butterfly of Sri Lanka. 

LFPs: Its sole LFP is Aristolochia indica (imai|). 

This butterfly inhabits open vegetation; scrublands being the most preferred. It is 

abundant in such habitats in the dry zone during the season. It is occasionally seen in 

the low country wet zone but never in large numbers. Very rarely some can be seen at 

higher elevations in migratory flight. 

LFPs: Aristolochia indica (imai|), Aristolochia bracteolata – preferred in the northwestern 

region, Aristolochia ringens (;drdu,a) 



Common Rose Pachliopta aristolochiae 

Banded Peacock Papilio crino 

M LC M VU 

Papilionidae 

The sexes are similar, but the females are quite large and have much rounder forewing 

apexes. The Common Rose has white dustings throughout its forewing, where it forms 

a pattern amidst the veins. The white patch on its hind wing varies, sometimes leaving 

the cells entirely black. The row of rosy-coloured, crescent shaped sub-marginal 

patches on its underside are large and bright. The outer margin is serrated and the 

tornus extends into a tail in the hind wing. Its abdomen, thorax and head always have 

red patches. These patches are reduced in females. 

The Common Rose prefers to fly at medium height, in a quite slow but steady flight. 

They ascend higher when flowers are available or when in migratory flight. This 

species also occasionally engages in mud puddling. 

The Banded Peacock has a median band on its upper side. This is quite narrow in 

females. The colour of this band varies from emerald green to royal blue according to 

the angle of light. Other areas of its wings are uniformly dusted with shiny scales on a 

black background with an ‘eye spot’ outlined in red on its hind wing at the anal angle. 

The tail tip is pronounced with shiny scales. Its underside is sparsely dusted with white 

scales and a row of sub-marginal patches is visible on its hind wing. 

The Banded Peacock is a fast-flying butterfly, especially in hot conditions. It is also 

quite difficult to trace due to its contrasting colouration. It feeds on the flowers of 

scrubs, while hovering. Females usually fly very high to lay eggs. Males come to drying 

river beds to mud puddle. This is a migratory species. 

Papilionidae 

The Common Rose can be seen in open habitats such as scrublands, home gardens 

and thin forests, but prefers much wetter places and are never as numerous as the 

Crimson Rose. It is commonly found all over Sri Lanka except at higher elevations, 

where it becomes scarce. 

The Banded Peacock’s usual habitat is sparse dry zone forests where its main larval 

food plant grows. It uses sunny, scrubland patches and openings within these forests 

for nectar feeding. It has been reported in the low country wet zone in isolated, ad 

hoc locations, but never commonly. 

LFPs: Aristolochia indica (imai|), Aristolochia bracteolata – preferred in the North- 

West, Aristolochia ringens (;drdu,a) and occasionally Thottea siliquosa (;dmir nq,;a). 

LFPs: Chloroxylon swietenia (nqre;)- most preferable, Toddalia asiatica (l=vqñßiai), 

Clausena indica (ó f.dx lrmsxpd) 



Lime Butterfly Papilio demoleus 

Red Helen Papilio helenus 

M LC L VU 

Papilionidae 

The sexes are similar, with an elongated forewing and rounded hind wing found in 

both sexes. The yellow patches become duller in older butterflies. The size of the 

red patch on its hind wing at the anal angle varies, sometimes leaving a black area 

between the red patch and blue line. The blue line near the upper margin of the hind 

wing is usually concealed. This line is distinct on the underside, with a light orangecoloured 

centre. There are similar patches on the central part of the hind wing. 

The Lime Butterfly resembles a Pierid due to its very fast flight around noon, and 

its colouration. This scrubland-dwelling butterfly loves the sun very much and it 

immediately descends down in to a thicket when the sun is covered by a cloud. Male 

Lime Butterflies can be seen mud puddling. This is a migratory species. 

The sexes are almost similar but a variation of the pattern on its underside is prevalent 

in females. Occasionally there is a small white patch on the upper side towards the 

apex on its forewing. The cilia of its hind wing are marked in white, with a red mark at 

the anal angle. The large white patch on its hind wing is concealed on the upper side, 

when the butterfly is resting, but is prominent when it is in flight. Additional white 

dustings on its forewing and a sub-marginal row of crescent-shaped red patches on 

its hind wing can be seen on its underside. 

The Red Helen flies along forest paths in a deep, irregular wing beat. It goes much 

higher for nectar. It is common to see these butterflies puddling in numbers on wet 

patches consisting of leaf litter adjacent to streams at mid elevations. 

Papilionidae 

This species is most abundant in dry scrubland habitats, but can also be commonly 

seen in the wet zone. Although it does not seem to have breeding populations at 

higher elevations, these have been observed during their migratory flight. 

LFPs: It uses many Rutaceae plants. Some of them are Chloroxylon swietenia (nqre;), 

Citrus x limon (f,uka), Limonia acidissima (Èjq,a). It mostly uses Cullen corylifolium 

(Fabaceae species) in the Jaffna peninsula. 

This is a damp forested species commonly found in the wet zone, especially at mid 

elevations, becoming scarcer towards lower elevations. It is found in considerable 

numbers in their natural habitats, but there are only few such pristine habitats 

remaining in the country. 

LFPs: Zanthoxylum tetraspermum, Toddalia asiatica (l=vqñßiai), Citrus madurensis (kia 

kdrx) 



Common Mormon Papilio polytes 

Blue Mormon Papilio polymnestor 

M LC L 

LC 

Papilionidae 

Male 

Female - 

Form Stichius 

Male: A black butterfly with a series of white outer marginal spots on the forewing 

and a series of much larger spots across the hind wing. Both series align into one series 

when the butterfly is at rest. Female: Occurs in three forms. Form Cyrus: resembles 

the male with additional red markings on the hind wing. Form Stichius: mimics the 

Common Rose but its abdomen is completely black. Form Romulus: mimics the 

Crimson Rose but its abdomen is completely black and the patches on the hind wing 

are not bright crimson. 

The Common Mormon flies at medium height, often visiting flowers of scrubs and 

large herbs. Males engage in mud puddling. This is a migrant species. 

This butterfly has adapted to many types of habitats, ranging from forests to sparse 

vegetation. It is common all over the country but quite low in number at the highest 

elevations. Form Stichius is more abundant in the wet zone, while form Romulus is 

more abundant in the dry zone. Form Cyrus is fewer in number than the others. 

LFPs: Various Rutaceae plants. i.e. Pleiospermium alatum (;=ka m;a l=re÷), Murraya 

koenigii (lrmsxpd), Glycosmis pentaphylla (fodvïmdk) 

The sexes are similar but the female is duller in colouration. Its hind wing is distinctly 

large and rounded. The upper surface of its forewing has a band of blue scales, 

while the hind wing is almost blue except for the basal parts and distal rows of black 

patches. The veins of the hind wing are clearly marked in black. The pattern of its 

underside is replaced by grey scales in a reduced area. The basal parts of both wings 

have red patches between the veins. 

The Blue Mormon moves fast due to its powerful wing beat, though it does not 

beat them rapidly. It very much likes to feed on the flowers of Clerodendrum (mskak) 

species. Males engage in mud puddling, but rarely settle in one place for more than 

few seconds. It beats its wings while puddling, and goes here and there in the wet 

patch. It has been seen roosting on opened up foliage, with its wings spread out. This 

is a migrant species. 

This butterfly prefers forest habitats including lush home gardens. It is spread out 

commonly throughout the country, but is not found numerously. 

LFPs: Various Rutaceae plants including Citrus grandis (cïfnda,), Atalantia ceylanica 

(hls kdrx), Citrus reticulata (ySka kdrx) 

Male 

Papilionidae 



L 

LC 

Mime Papilio clytia 

Blue Bottle Graphium sarpedon 

M 

LC 

Papilionidae 

Form clytia 

Form dissimilis 

Both sexes occur in two forms. Form dissimilis: mimics blue-coloured Tigers. 

Colouration is black and white throughout the wings, on both sides. A sub-marginal 

row of “^” shaped markings, lower bifid endings on white lines and an orange spot at 

the anal angle are marked features apparent on the upper surface of its hind wing. 

These markings are prominent on its underside with an additional, marginal row of 

orange-coloured spots. Form clytia: mimics Crows. They are brown in colour, with 

markings towards the outer margins as in the previous form. 

The sexes are similar. It has a narrow forewing and a serrated outer margin on its hind 

wing which extends into a short tail at the tornus. The upper surface of its wings is 

blackish brown with a median blue band divided into rectangular patches by black 

veins. The patches towards the forewing apex have a greenish tinge. A sub-marginal 

band of crescent shaped patches are present on its hind wing. Blue markings are 

visible in a similar manner on its underside, on a chocolate brown background with 

additional red patches on the hind wing. 

Papilionidae 

The Mime mimics the habits of its models. They have a slow, reckless flight pattern but 

if alarmed, they escape in their usual fast papilionid flight. They typically rest in closed 

wing position as Danaids. They hover when feeding on flowers, but not in a rapid 

manner as seen in other Papilionids. 

The Blue Bottle is a very fast flier who regularly flies at canopy level in low forests. It visits 

canopy flowers and sometimes descends to shrubs like Hedyotis fruticosa (jerKsh). It 

is rapid even at feeding, quickly jumping from flower to flower and returning to the 

same one again. It is regularly seen at hill tops where others are absent due to excess 

wind. Males engage in mud puddling, typically alone or in a group of 2-3. 

Like their models, the Mime is found in open vegetation. It can be seen in home 

gardens and thin forests, but is not too fond of scrublands where its models are 

abundant. It is common in the lowlands. 

It is commonly found in damp, densely wooded areas in the wet zone. It is occasionally 

found in the dry zone, but always in wet habitats, and especially in the rainy season. 


LFPs: Litsea glutinosa (fnda ó) – most preferable, Neolitsea cassia (ojq,a l=re÷), 

Cinnamomum verum (l=re÷), Litsea longifolia (r;a lE,sh) 

LFPs: Neolitsea cassia (ojq,a 

stenophylla (ksl ojq,) 

l=re÷q), Cinnamomum verum (l=re÷), Actinodaphne 


M 

LC 

Common Jay Graphium doson 

Tailed Jay Graphium agamemnon 

M 

LC 

Papilionidae 

The sexes are alike. The forewing is elongated with a concave outer margin; the hind 

wing is serrated at the outer margin but it has no tail. This butterfly’s upper side is 

black in colour, with a median light blue band and sub-marginal row of spots on 

both wings. The forewing cell bears some blue markings. The background colour is 

much duller on the underside, and the blue markings appear enlarged due to the 

pale outline. Its hind wing has red markings, including a stripe along the inner margin. 

The sexes are similar in pattern, but females have longer tails. The forewing is pointed 

and the outer margin is slightly serrated. The outer margin of the hind wing is clearly 

serrated, with a distinct tornal tail. It is dark brown in colour with green patches 

dispersed throughout. The patches are brighter towards the forewing base, and turn 

yellowish towards the outer margin of the hind wing. Its underside is pale brown and 

clouded with pale purplish tinged scales. The green patches are not prominent. 

Papilionidae 

The Common Jay is a swift flier and can always be seen flying along forest paths. Males 

engage in mud puddling in large numbers on gravel roads and river beds, sometimes 

together with Blue Bottles and other butterfly species. They settle down to puddle 

more frequently than other Papilionids. They can be seen on flowers rarely. This is a 

migrant species. 

This butterfly frequents forest areas and sometimes lushly wooded home gardens. It 

is distributed throughout the country except in the extreme north. It seems that there 

are no breeding populations in the hill country, but occur only at migration. 

LFPs: Uvaria macropoda, Miliusa indica (lels,s ueiai), Polyalthia korinti (W,a flkao) 

The habits of the Tailed Jay are very similar to those of the Blue Bottle, except that they 

only very rarely engage in mud puddling. 

It is common throughout the country in sparsely wooded areas, and wet habitats 

are not essential. It is quite unusual in forests, but can be found abundantly in home 

gardens where its larval food plants are grown for fruits. Lately, its numbers in the 

wet zone marshes have increased due to the propagation of the invasive alien plant 

species Annona glabra (fj,a wd;a;d). 

LFPs: It has nearly 20 species of larval food plants belonging to the family Annonaceae, 

ranging from planted species to forested species. These include: Polyalthia cerasoides 

(mÜg W,a flkao), Annona muricata (lgq wfkdaod), Xylopia championii (o;a leáh) 



S 

LC 

Psyche Leptosia nina 

Jezebel Delias eucharis 

M 

LC 

Pieridae 

The sexes are similar. Both its wings are rounded. It is a pure white butterfly with 

a black spot at the edge of the cell and another irregular patch at the apex of the 

upper side of the forewing. These patches are faintly visible through the under side, 

especially against the light. Its underside is mottled in khaki green scales which 

are distinct in newly emerged butterflies. The mottles on the upper margin of the 

forewing are blackish. 

The Psyche flies among herbs and grasses, never above 2 feet. If it is alarmed, it flies 

restlessly, but very slowly around a small area for a long period. It settles on flowers 

regularly in an inclined angle with folded wings, while hiding its forewing between 

its hind wings. Though it is pure white, it is difficult to locate when settled, due to the 

mottled markings. It is fond of flowers such as Oxalis barrelieri, but it rarely sips mud. 

The female has more black areas along the veins in both wings and have a much 

brighter colouration on the outer marginal spots on the upper surface of its hind 

wing. The male has extensive white areas, leaving no trace of black on the basal parts 

of its hind wing. The undersides are quite similar in both sexes. The forewing is marked 

in white patches, amidst black veins. In dark specimens, the apical patches are yellow. 

Its hind wing markings are yellow with black stripes in between. The oval shaped 

reddish orange markings on black outer margin are outlined in white. 

Female can be regularly seen leisurely flying around trees in search of their LFPs. They 

lay eggs in clusters. Both sexes visit flowers on shrubs in the morning hours. These 

butterflies have courtship displays; sometimes 2-3 males are attracted to one female. 

Males never engage mud puddling as their mimics, the Painted Sawtooths do. 

Female 

Pieridae 

This butterfly is abundant in herby weed growths under the shade of trees. It never 

goes too far into sunny patches or into dense forest areas. It is a low country butterfly, 

particularly found in the wet zone and scarcely in the hills. 

This butterfly is common in park type vegetation, and is never found in dense forests. 

Although scrublands are not greatly preferred, a fair number of individuals can be 

seen in these habitats. It is distributed all over the country. 

LFPs: Its most preferred plant is the exotic Cleome rutidosperma. Rorippa nasturtiumaquaticum 

(llal=gq m,d), and Capparis zeylanica are also used. 

LFPs: Many Loranthaceae plants (ms

S 

LC 

Pioneer Belenois aurota 

Common Gull Cepora nerissa 

S 

LC 

Pieridae 

Wet season form 

Female 

The sexes are similar, except for the black band along the upper vein of the forewing 

cell on the upper wing surface, which is extensively marked in females. The outer 

margin of both wings is broadly marked in black, with dispersed white patches only 

in the male. The basal area has a creamy hue in its wet season form, but otherwise, it is 

white. The colour of the patches on the underside of its hind wing ranges from deep 

orange in its wet season form to pale yellow in its dry season form. The colour of the 

underside of the forewing also takes a creamy hue in its wet season form. 

The fast-flying Pioneer prefers to fly in the hot hours of the day and is one of the 

species that can be seen even in extremely dry months. At the peak of its season, 

this butterfly can be seen very commonly and takes part in migration in considerable 

numbers. Males are seen mud puddling together with other Pierids during this flight. 

Females lay eggs in batches on leaves. 

The breeding populations of this butterfly entirely depend on dry zone scrublands, 

but can be seen in the wet zone during their migratory flight. 

The sexes are alike, except for the female being heavily marked in black on the upper 

side. On the other hand, these markings are heavier in their wet season form, in 

comparison to their dry season form. Its undersides are marked with yellow patches 

on both wings and dark scales along the veins. These yellow patches become much 

lighter in the extreme dry season form. A dark coloured indistinct distal band is also 

present on its hind wing. 

The Common Gull is a fast flier that prefers the hot hours of the day. It opens its wings 

only to the first sun rays in the morning, becoming very active after that. It settles on 

the flowers of scrubs, but descends to lower levels if food is available. It doesn’t waste 

much time on a single flower and always hurries to another. Males frequently visit 

mud patches and sand beds in great numbers, especially during their migratory flight. 

It is very common in dry scrublands during the season, where its LFPs grow profusely. It 

is dispersed throughout the country even at the highest elevations during migration, 

but never breeds there. 

Pieridae 

LFPs: Cadaba trifoliata, Maerua arenaria, Capparis grandis and some other Capparaceae 

plants. 

LFPs: Plants of Capparaceae family including Capparis moonii (reoka;s), Crataeva 

adansonii (¨KqjrK), Capparis roxburghii (l¨ b,a,ka f.ä) 



M 

Sri Lankan Lesser Albatross Appias galene 

White Orange Tip Ixias marianne 

LC E S 

LC 

Pieridae 

Female 

Male 

The outer margin of its forewing is concave and the tornus of its hind wing is not 

pointed, differentiating it from the Common Albatross. Male: white on the upper 

side with a small variable amount of black scales towards margins of the forewing, 

which can be absent in dry season forms. The whole of its hind wing and forewing 

apex are creamy on the underside, becoming brighter in its wet season form. Female: 

a broad black band is apparent on the margin of the upper side of the forewing, 

which consists of up to three white spots. The outer margin of the hind wing has a 

continuous black band. The underside of the forewing has a broad black band around 

the upper portion of the cell. The other parts are white in colour. There is a rare form 

which has yellow undersides with a distal band of dark scales on the hind wing. 

Many individuals take part in migration and both sexes can be seen gregariously 

puddling in mud patches during this flight. Sometimes these migrations can last for 

weeks. They prefer mid height levels for nectar feeding, but climb up for laying eggs. 

It is abundant in the dry zone, but can also be seen in the wet zone and in the hills in 

some numbers, especially during migration. 

Its upper side is white with a large orange patch on the apex of the forewing. This 

patch is interrupted by small black markings in females. The outer margins of both 

wings are edged in black. Its yellow coloured under side is faintly mottled in dark 

scales, and has a light orange area on the forewing. Sometimes, the white patches on 

the distal band are reduced greatly, leaving only the dark outlines. Variations in colour 

and pattern among individuals are common. 

The White Orange Tip becomes active soon after the morning sun shines, and keeps 

flying even at mid day. It occasionally spreads out its wings for basking, in the early 

morning hours. It is fond of flying in sparse scrublands scattered with herbaceous 

plants. It is especially attracted to Leucas zeylanica (.eg ;=U) flowers. The females lay 

eggs on the dead branches of their larval food plants. 

It is restricted to the dry lowlands and is common in scrubland areas, being much 

more abundant in northern parts of the island. 

LFPs: Capparis grandis, Capparis sepiaria 

Male 

Pieridae 

LFPs: Drypetes sepiaria (ùr), Drypetes gardneri (weg ùr$.,a ùr) 



M 

LC 

Lemon Emigrant Catopsilia pomona 

Small Salmon Arab Colotis amata 

S 

LC 

Pieridae 

Female 

Male 

Though the species is divided into two forms by the colour of its antennae, it is a 

highly variable butterfly even within each form. One form has pink coloured antennae 

and wings that are bright yellow on both sides. The females of this form may have 

brown blotches and silver spots on their undersides and always have black borders 

on the upper side. The other form has dark coloured antenna, and generally has light 

greenish-yellow wings, with some dark yellow scales towards the base of the forewing 

on the upper side. In females, the margins on the upper side are irregularly bordered 

in black. 

The Lemon Emigrant has a rapid, bouncy, irregular flight. It flies, even above tree tops, 

in great numbers during their migratory flight. They gather at mud patches and river 

beds regularly and even feed on fecal matter such as elephant dung during migration. 

Both forms can be seen together commonly, irrespective of a specific season. 

This butterfly is commonly found in the lowlands, especially in the dry zone. It appears 

in hilly areas during migration. 

This salmon pink butterfly has broad black borders on the outer and upper margins of 

the upper side of its forewing. A black oval-shaped patch at the end of the forewing 

cell that distinctly touches the upper border can be observed. There are some grey 

dustings towards the basal parts. Occasionally, there are whitish females, especially in 

the dry months. Its undersides are yellow with irregular grey dustings. Usually females 

are heavily marked on the underside. 

The slow-flying Small Salmon Arab always flies near the ground. Even though their 

larval food plant tends to grow up, they use stunted trees, saplings or shoots that 

come out from base of trees to lay eggs in batches. These butterflies congregate 

for roosting and choose dried up herbaceous areas to settle, allowing them to 

camouflage themselves. 

This butterfly is frequently found in scrublands in the low drylands and is abundant 

closer to sea in the arid areas in the north and south. 

Female 

Pieridae 

LFPs: Many Fabaceae plants including Cassia fistula (weye

S 

NT 

Little Orange Tip Colotis etrida 

Small Grass Yellow Eurema brigitta 

S 

NT 

Pieridae 

The sexes are alike. The distinct markings on this white butterfly include a bright 

orange apical patch which is broadly outlined in black found on the upper surface of 

the forewing. It also has a minute black spot on the fore wing cell and grey dustings 

on the basal parts. The outer margin of the hind wing is marked in black. Its underside 

is variably dusted in grey scales. It always has a minute black spot on each cell. The 

spot on the hind wing cell is incorporated with a diffused reddish patch. 

The Little Orange Tip has a moderately fast flight, which peaks during the hotter hours 

of the day. It always prefers to fly near the ground searching for nectar. It has a habit 

of perching on sandy ground among plants with partially opened wings, although it 

must be noted that this is not for mud puddling. When threatened, it closes its wings 

in a way that helps it camouflage itself against lightly coloured surroundings. 

This butterfly is commonly found in dry zone scrublands, especially towards coastal 

areas. 

The sexes are alike. The shape of the outer margin of its hind wing is truncated, being 

more prominent in dry season individuals. It has a broad, regular black outer margin 

on the upper surface of its forewing. The outer margin of its hind wing is also broad, 

but not as broad as that on the forewing. Its underside is dusted with scattered black 

scales and is sporadically interspersed with a few small black spots. The dustings on 

the hind wing sometimes form distal bands. Its cell end spots are never large enough 

to form a hollow centre. It does not have any markings on the base of its forewing cell. 

The Small Grass Yellow prefers to fly quite slowly near the ground. It frequently settles 

among grass blades and is disturbed by even a slight movement of the grasses. It 

does not open its wings when settling and rarely settles on mud patches. 

This butterfly prefers open vegetation. It is frequent in the highland grasslands and 

the much lower savannah grasslands where its larval food plants grow abundantly. It 

has also been recorded ad hoc in the low country dry zone. 

Laying Eggs 

Pieridae 

LFPs: Maerua arenaria 

LFPs: All Chamaecrista species (ìx ishU,d) in the country including C. nictitans, C. 

kleinii and C. mimosoides 



Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe 

Three Spot Grass Yellow Eurema blanda 

S NT S NT 

Pieridae 

The sexes are alike. The shape of the outer margin is not completely rounded on its 

hind wing, nor wavy on its forewing. The upper surface of the butterfly’s forewing has 

a broad, black, irregular outer margin and a thin, fairly regular one on its hind wing. Its 

underside is variously marked in black. It always has a black mark with a yellow centre 

on each cell end. The forewing cell has two other basal black markings. Sometimes 

they have a chocolate coloured patch on the apex of the forewing, usually smaller 

than that of the Three Spot Grass Yellow. 

It always prefers to fly near the ground and around small scrubs, and has not been 

observed to open its wings on any occasion when settling. It perches on the underside 

of leaves to elude both the hot sun and the rain. This is a migratory species. 

This butterfly is commonly found in open vegetation such as grasslands and home 

gardens. Although they dislike forests, they can be seen in lit up forest paths with 

herbaceous flowers. It is commonly distributed throughout the country, but the 

number is quite low in the highest hills. 

The sexes are alike. The shape of the outer margin is not completely rounded on its 

hind wing and is wavy on fore wing. The irregular black outer margin on the upper 

surface of its forewing is slightly different to that of the previous species. The hind wing 

has a thin black outer margin. Its underside is usually heavily marked in comparison to 

the previous species and its cell end patches are larger and have a yellow area in the 

middle. The basal parts of the forewing cell have three black markings. They bare the 

chocolate coloured apical patch on the forewing more frequently than the Common 

Grass Yellow, and this patch is also larger. 

Its behaviour is similar to that of the Common Grass Yellow, except that males are 

often found mud puddling. Females lay eggs in large clustres and sometimes it climbs 

higher than its usual flying height to lay eggs. 

Although this butterfly is found in open vegetation, it requires much wetter conditions. 

Hence, it is more widespread in the wet zone. It is more numerous than Common 

Grass Yellow along rain forests paths. It is less abundant in the hills. 

Pieridae 

LFPs: Many plants in the family Fabaceae including Senna alata (we;a f;dar), 

Pithecellobium dulce (ueks,d ishU,d) and Senna tora (fm;s f;dar) 

LFPs: Various Fabaceae plants including Cassia fistula (weye

Sri Lankan Tree Nymph Idea iasonia 

Blue Glassy Tiger Ideopsis similis 

L VU E 

M VU 

Nymphalidae 

The sexes are alike, but there is great variation in pattern and size among individuals. It 

has narrow, elongated, but blunt tipped forewings. Both wings are silvery white with 

black veins and black patches throughout on both sides. Its abdomen is white with a 

broad black dorsal line. 

The most distinct habit of the Sri Lankan Tree Nymph is its slow, floating flight among 

trees at higher levels. This butterfly is seen to even casually fly among flocks of birds, 

since it is unpalatable to them. Several males go after a single female in their courtship 

displays in this floating flight, which is a gorgeous spectacle to behold. During these 

flights, males extrude yellow-coloured hair pencils from the backs of their abdomens 

that are capable of emitting a scent to attract females. This species never engages in 

mud puddling. 

This is a forest-loving species and is usually seen around bodies of water such as 

streams and ponds. Its usual distribution is confined to the forests of the wet zone, up 

to the lower highlands and intermediate zone. Some historical records show that it 

has also been observed in the dry zone. 

The sexes are alike. The background colour on the upper surface of its wings is black, 

while the underside is brown. The markings on its forewing are blue, while those on 

its hind wing are glass white. The differences in these colours are prominent on the 

underside. These markings are similar in shape on both the upper and lower surfaces. 

Its forewing cell has a basal streak and a large spot distally. Three other lines radiate 

from the base of the forewing with one thin line above the cell and two broad lines 

below. 

The Blue Glassy Tiger has a moderately fast, casual flight. It prefers to fly about 5 feet 

above the ground but readily comes down to the long panicled flowers of herbaceous 

plants for nectar. When they settle on these flowers, they adopt a hang-up position 

since the panicle cannot withstand their weight. They go to higher levels for basking 

and roosting. 

This butterfly can be commonly seen in both forests and verdant home gardens, 

but its distribution is restricted to the western parts of the country ranging from 

Negombo to Matara. 

Nymphalidae 

LFPs: Its sole LFP is Parsonsia alboflavesscens (j,a w.=K). 

LFPs: Larvae have been successfully reared only on Tylophora indica 



M 

LC 

Blue Tiger Tirumala limniace 

Glassy Tiger Parantica aglea 

M 

LC 

Nymphalidae 

Female 

The sexes are similar in pattern and size. The pattern is similar on both wing surfaces. 

The upper surface of both its wings is black with blue markings. Its underside is 

much lighter in both background colour and markings. The forewing cell has a basal 

streak and an irregular distal spot. The patch below the cell is large and irregular, and 

occasionally separates out into parts. The hind wing cell is almost blue, leaving very 

little black. There is a line along the basal part of the second and third vein of the 

hind wing, which forms a ‘

M 

LC 

Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus 

Common Tiger Danaus genutia 

M 

LC 

Nymphalidae 

Male 

Female 

The sexes are similar in both colour and pattern. The apex of the forewing is black 

with varied white patches on the upper surface, where some of them form a subapical 

band. The outer margins of both wings are black with minute white patches. 

The distal end of the hind wing cell and its upper margin has three black patches on 

both sides. The basal parts of the forewing are reddish-orange on the underside, while 

the other areas are orange in colour. The black sub-apical band and outer margins 

have white patches. The male has a sex brand below the second vein of its hind wing 

which is marked in black on the upper surface, and in black with a white centre on 

the underside. Two rare forms of this species have been observed; one lacks the subapical 

band and the other has a large white area on its hind wing. 

Its habits are similar to those of the Common Tiger. However, it is not a migrant species. 

This species is common throughout the country and its numbers are very high in the 

northern dry zone. It prefers sunny scrubland habitats, and is never found in gloomy 

forests. 

The sexes are similar in colour and pattern. This dark orange-coloured butterfly has 

distinct black lines along the veins on both surfaces of both wings. The apex of the 

forewing is black in colour up to the cell, and extends along the upper and outer 

margin, on the upper surface. Elongated white patches form a sub-apical band and 

further small white spots are present towards the margins. The outer margin of the 

hind wing bares a black band with two rows of white spots. The colour pattern of its 

underside is more or less the same, being paler on the apex of the forewing and the 

hind wing. The male has an additional patch below the second vein on both sides of 

the hind wing revealing the sex brand. 

The Common Tiger has a moderately fast but careless flight. It prefers to fly at scrub 

level and also descends to flowers of herbs. Males congregate at plants that provide 

toxins. This is a migratory species. 

This butterfly is common in the lowlands of Sri Lanka, both in the wet and dry zones, 

but are never as numerous as Plain Tigers. It is rarely seen in the hills. 

Male 

Male 

Nymphalidae 

LFPs: Apocynaceae plants including Calotropis gigantea (jrd), Cynanchum tunicatum 

(lka l=U,), Pergularia daemia 

LFPs: Apocynaceae plants including Cynanchum tunicatum (lka l=U,), Oxystelma 

esculentum and Pentatropis capensis 



M 

LC 

Common Crow Euploea core 

Brown King Crow Euploea klugii 

M 

LC 

Nymphalidae 

Male 

The sexes are similar except for the sex brands. The upper side is dark brown and 

lighter towards the margins. The sub-marginal spots vary greatly, although the spots 

on the inner band are always larger than those on the outer band of the hind wing. 

The background colour of its underside is uniform and the sub-marginal spots are 

more distinct than those seen on the upper surface. Usually, the spots at the forewing 

apex are arranged in an arc. Both wings have a white spot on each cell. The male 

has a sex brand on the upper surface of its forewing in interspace 1b, resembling a 

single light-coloured narrow streak on both sides of the wing. Females also have this 

demarcation on the underside, even though they do not actually have a sex brand. 

The sexes are almost similar. Its upper side is brown in colour, which fades to a lighter 

shade towards the margins on both wings. The spots on the sub-marginal bands are 

variable, but the spots on the inner band of the hind wing are bigger than the others. 

Its underside is uniform in colour with prominent white patches. Occasionally there is 

a purple tinge on the patches seen on newly emerged butterflies. There are no spots 

on the cells of both wings. The male has an oval-shaped sex brand on interspace 1b of 

the forewing, and it is demarcated by a purple-tinged patch on the underside, which 

is also found in females. Males bare a large pale creamy patch on the upper surface of 

the hind wing which is usually covered by the forewing. 

Female 

Nymphalidae 

Like other Danaids, the Common Crow’s flight is moderately fast and males congregate 

at plants which provide toxins. This is a migratory species. 

This migratory species behaves like the Common crow in well-lit environments. It is 

often difficult to differentiate the species from others when they are flying together. 

This species is numerous in the dry zone and depend on open vegetation to feed 

and search for mates. They also gather in large numbers in gloomy forests during dry 

spells in the dry zone. 

LFPs: 28 species of plants in the country including Hemidesmus indicus (bruqiq), Ficus 

religiosa (fnda) and Cryptolepis buchananii (je,a rela w;a;k) 

It prefers open vegetation such as scrublands and reservoir beds. Females can be seen 

in the undergrowth of the forest to find suitable plants to lay eggs. Its main breeding 

grounds are in the dry zone, but they appear in the wet zone during migration where 

it occasionally forms breeding colonies. 

LFPs: It is only found to feed on Streblus asper (ks;=,a,) up to now. 



S 

LC 

Rustic Cupha erymanthis 

Leopard Phalanta phalantha 

S 

LC 

Nymphalidae 

The sexes are alike. A lighter median band can be distinguished on the upper side of 

the forewing in this variously orange-tinged butterfly. The forewing apex and outer 

margin are dark brown in colour. Both wings are marked in various patterns of dark 

brown, which are more numerous on the hind wing. The colour and pattern of its 

underside vary to a great extent. The under surface is always lighter in colour than 

the upper surface. The numbers of white markings varies, and are sometimes entirely 

absent on the forewing. These markings form an irregular band. Its eyes have a pale 

greenish-yellow tinge. 

The Rustic prefers to bask with its wings partially open in sun beams which filter down 

through the canopy to the shrubbery of forest. Males suck on minerals from sand 

beds in streams but are not fond of mud patches. This is a migratory species. 

This is a forest-loving species and appears regularly, but not in great numbers, in those 

habitats in the wet and intermediate zones. It is also appears in verdant gardens in the 

vicinity of forests. It is rarely seen in the hill country. 

The sexes are alike. The background colour of its upper surface is uniformly orange and 

variously marked in dark brown patches and streaks which are scattered throughout 

the wings. The outer margins and forewing apex are not entirely coloured in dark 

brown. The colour and pattern of the underside vary. The background colour takes on 

various shades of pale orange, with a purplish tinge apparent in some newly emerged 

individuals. Some individuals also have a median band of diffused white patches on 

the hind wing. Its eyes are grey coloured. 

Both sexes of the Leopard are frequently seen busily flying around its larval food 

plants. Females are more sedentary and hang around these plants due to the ease of 

access to lay eggs. Males come to these trees in search of mates. During these visits, 

males are able to even mate with newly-emerged females who are not yet ready to fly. 

Males also gather on the wet soil of sand beds. This is a migrant species. 

This butterfly can be found in sparsely wooded gardens and scrublands. It is common 

throughout the island, becoming scarce towards the highest hills. 

Nymphalidae 

LFPs: Scolopia acuminata (lgq flkao), Homalium ceylanicum(weg fyr,sh), Flacourtia 

jangomas (rg W.=/iai) 

LFPs: Salicaceae plants including Flacourtia indica (W.=/iai), Flacourtia jangomas (rg 

W.=/iai), Dovyalis hebecarpa (legô,a,) 



M 

LC 

Tamil Yeoman Cirrochroa thais 

Indian Fritillary Argynnis hyperbius 

M 

EN 

Nymphalidae 

Both sexes are highly variable in size, colour and pattern, especially on the underside. 

The outer margin of the forewing is curved inwards giving the appearance of a falcate 

apex especially in females. The background colour of its wings is uniformly orange 

on the upper side with a dark brown outer margin on the forewing. The hind wing 

has a thin dark brown outer margin, with two subsequent bands of wavy markings 

and another band of spot markings. The white patch on the upper margin is usually 

covered by the forewing. Its underside is tinged in various shades of brownish orange. 

The extent of the white band varies greatly, being completely absent on the forewing 

in some individuals. 

The mating behaviour of the Tamil Yeoman is similar to that of the Leopard. Females 

lay eggs one top of another like a tower. Males gather on the wet soil of sand beds. 

This species is not very fond of flowers and prefers to the juice of overripe fruits and 

tree sap. It is a migrant. 

The male resembles a Leopard on the upper side, except that it has two rows of 

bluish streaks on the black-coloured outer margin of its hind wing. The basal part of 

forewing is rosy red on the underside with black markings. The apical area is marked in 

yellowish brown, greenish brown and white. The entire hind wing is marked in these 

three colours, together with a few black lines. The forewing is a rosy red at the basal 

end and bluish grey on the distal end of the upper side in females. It has a sub-apical 

white band and is scattered with black patches. The hind wing is similar to that of the 

male. The underside looks like that of the male except for the white sub-apical band. 

It is quite a fast flier and prefers the hot hours of the day. It is easily disturbed but 

returns to the same place after a while. Males are fond of mud puddling. Females 

descend to the ground, camouflaging themselves among the grasses in closed wing 

position. They also come to the ground to lay eggs on and around their herbaceous 

LFPs. Both sexes bask while settling on the ground. 

Male 

Male 

Nymphalidae 

It can be seen throughout the low country in forested habitats, being common along 

streams in the intermediate zone where its larval food plant grows abundantly. 

This butterfly breeds in the grasslands in the highest hills, and also visits adjacent 

wooded parks. Only a very few of its breeding habitats remain in the hills. 

LFPs: Hydnocarpus venenata (ul=,a) 

LFPs: Viola pilosa and Viola betonicifolia 



M 

LC 

Blue Admiral Kaniska canace 

Lemon Pansy Junonia lemonias 

S 

LC 

Nymphalidae 

It has jagged outer margins on both wings. The forewing apex is more falcate in dry 

season individuals. The upper surface is black with a shiny greenish blue tint on the 

base. The brilliant blue band seen in the distal area is larger in females. There is a 

diffused blue spot at the upper margin beyond this band and a distal row of diffused 

spots on the hind wing. The underside is marked in shades of brown, black and grey 

giving it the ability to camouflage itself among leaf litter. 

The Blue Admiral never feeds on flowers and entirely depends on overripe fruits and 

tree sap. It flies quickly and very low in open spaces especially along waterways and 

goes up in forests for food and to lay eggs. It basks with fully opened wings in the 

morning. Afterwards, it settles with closed wings on the ground or on tree trunks with 

mosses and lichens. Males use the ‘wait and see method’ to find their mates. 

This butterfly can be found in both the wet and intermediate zones, but only appears 

in high numbers from the lower hills to the highest mountains. It is a forest-loving 

species, but also visits adjacent streams in grasslands such as in Horton Plains. 

LFPs: Smilax perfoliata (uy ln/iai), S. zeylanica (ln/iai). It probably also feeds 

on S. aspera in the hills. 

The forewing apex is more falcate in dry season individuals. Its dark brown upper 

surface is heavily dusted with brownish-yellow scales except for in the distal area of 

the forewing. That area contains diffused creamy yellow patches. The forewing has a 

prominent ‘eye spot’ and another faint ‘eye spot’ towards the apex. A large and a small 

‘eye spot’ merged through an orange coloured outline can be seen on the hind wing. 

It has two sub-marginal rows of crescent-shaped markings. The colour and pattern 

on its underside vary, consisting of light brownish yellow and occasionally purplish 

tinges. The sizes of the spots in the distal row vary, and are sometimes absent. 

Most of the Lemon Pansy’s activities take place close to the ground. It feeds on the 

flowers of herbs and small shrubs. Males use the ‘wait and see method’ to find mates 

but they perch on a low place like a boulder on the ground. Females lay eggs even on 

bare ground after confirming that there are enough LFPs nearby. The colour pattern 

on their undersides allows them to camouflage themselves. This is a migrant species. 

This butterfly is found abundantly in open vegetation in the dry zone. It is sometimes 

found in the wet zone, likely during migration. 

LFPs: Barleria prionitis (lgq lr~q), Hygrophila schulli (kSruq,a,sh), Lindernia rotundifolia 

Nymphalidae 



S 

NT 

Blue Pansy Junonia orithya 

Grey Pansy Junonia atlites 

S 

NT 

Nymphalidae 

Male 

The size, colour and pattern are highly variable. The base of both wings on the upper 

side is jet black. The female has two short red lines and a blue line inside this black 

patch on the forewing. The apical area of the forewing is patterned in brown and 

light cream, changing into a brilliant dark blue towards the lower margin. Most of the 

hind wing area is brilliant blue with two sub-marginal rows of streaks, but sometimes 

this area is grey colour in females. Both wings have two ‘eye spots’ which vary in size. 

The upper ‘eye spot’ on the hind wing is the largest and it is usually concealed by the 

forewing. It is black in males and red in females. The underside consists of shades of 

pale brown and it is lighter than in all other Pansies. 

The Blue Pansy flies quite fast and its habits are similar to that of the Lemon Pansy, 

except that it is not a migrant. 

This butterfly can be found in grasslands and scrublands all over the country and at 

a number peaks in the lower hill country. In the dry zone, it is never as numerous as 

the Lemon Pansy and is mostly found in muddy, waterlogged areas where its larval 

food plants grow. 

LFPs: Centranthera indica (ÿgq i;=gq), Lindernia pusilla, Justicia procumbens 

This species varies in size, colour and pattern irrespective of sex. The forewing is more 

falcate in dry season individuals. Its upper side is grey with a slightly reddish hue. The 

distal row of spots on both wings contains a few distinct ‘eye spots’; usually two on 

each wing. They are partially red and black, and outlined in a white circle. One such 

spot on the hind wing is usually hidden by the forewing. The forewing has four wavy 

brown bands on the cell and another long band beyond the cell. Both wings have two 

sub-marginal rows of streaks on each. Its underside consists of various greyish browns. 

The distal band of spots and dark brown lines are entirely absent in some individuals. 

The Grey Pansy’s habits are similar to that of the Lemon Pansy, but it is a much slower 

flier and the males prefer to perch on bushes to seek out mates. 

It is commonly found all over the low country and in fewer numbers in the hills. It is 

the dominant Pansy in wet zone home gardens and parks. Females are usually seen in 

larger numbers near abandoned paddy fields in search of plants to lay eggs. 

LFPs: Acanthaceae and Linderniaceae plants including Hygrophila schulli (kSruq,a,sh), 

Lindernia pusilla, Lindernia crustacea 

Nymphalidae 



S 

LC 

Chocolate Soldier Junonia iphita 

Great Eggfly Hypolimnas bolina 

M 

LC 

Nymphalidae 

Female 

The forewing apex is falcate and the anal angle of the hind wing extends to simulate a 

dried up leaf in closed wing position. The upper surface is chocolate brown with dark 

brown markings. The distal row of spots and two sub-marginal rows of dark brown 

markings are more prominent in the hind wing than in the fore wing. The colour of 

the spots on the hind wing varies, sometimes giving a very distinctive appearance. 

The background colour of the underside is darker than that on the upper side, but 

it is unevenly washed out with whitish scales. The prominence of the oblique white 

line and row of spots on the hind wing varies. Usually females have one or two white 

patches on the upper marginal end of the oblique line, but rare individuals lack them. 

The habits of the Chocolate Soldier are similar to those of the Grey Pansy. It likes to 

fly in sunny open spaces in spite of its dark brown colour which can be used as a 

marvellous camouflage technique on gloomy forest floors. This is a migrant species. 

This butterfly is abundant in the scrublands, roadside vegetation, parks and forest 

openings. It is evenly distributed throughout the country. 

LFPs: Herbs and small shrubs of Acanthaceae family including Barleria prionitis (lgq 

lr~q), Dipteracanthus prostratus (ks,a mqrela), Strobilanthes diandra (fk¿) 

Male: The upper side is black with two elongated white patches on the forewing and 

one large rounded patch on the hind wing. These patches are surrounded by brilliant 

light blue scales. The brightness and intensity of these scales differs according to the 

angle of view. The markings on its dark brown coloured underside are highly variable. 

Usually the white patches on the upper side are represented here without the blue 

scales. The patch on the hind wing alters to a faint, oblique line in some individuals. 

The cream coloured markings on the outer margins are also variable. Female: The 

upper side is dark chocolate brown with creamy outer marginal markings on the hind 

wing that are also mirrored in the underside. Newly emerged individuals have some 

lustrous dark blue patches towards the upper margin of the forewing. The underside 

looks like that of the male, but more often without the white patches. 

Females lay eggs on saplings or on surrounding surfaces after perching on the 

ground. This is a migrant species. 

The Great Eggfly prefers forested habitats, but females come to openings at the forest 

borders/forest edges to lay eggs. It is distributed throughout the country. 

LFPs: Urena lobata (wem,), Sida cordata (fij, neì,), Synedrella nodiflora 

Male 

Male 

Nymphalidae 



M 

EN 

E 

Sri Lankan Blue Oak Leaf Kallima philarchus 

Common Sailor Neptis hylas 

S 

LC 

Nymphalidae 

Female 

The forewing apex is pointed and the hind wing is elongated at the anal angle to 

resemble a leaf in closed wing position. Most of its upper surface is shiny blue in 

colour. The forewing has a small light blue patch on a broad, blackish brown apical 

band. A light blue band runs along the interior of the apical band. The female has the 

same colour pattern, but lacks the brilliance. The female’s hind wing is also scattered 

with brown scales. The markings on its underside remarkably mimic a dried up leaf 

due to the unique enhancements in the shape of its wings. These characteristics vary 

across individuals and no similar markings are shared. A dark line runs from the apex 

of the forewing to the anal angle of hind wing in the likeness of the mid rib of a leaf. 

Both wings are marked in several dark and light patches to resemble fungi. 

The Sri Lankan Blue Oak Leaf only feeds on overripe fruits and tree sap. Males perch on 

foliage in an opening at a stream to search for mates. This is a migrant species. 

The sexes look similar but the female is quite large. The upper side is blackish brown. 

A white streak commencing from the base of the forewing is followed by two white 

spots which form a band. A basal line on the hind wing together with patches on the 

forewing form a second parallel band. Rectangular patches on the hind wing make up 

a third parallel band. The marginal and sub-marginal white bands are fairly indistinct. 

The background of its underside is golden brown, with the white patches seen on the 

upper surface visible with additional faint lines in between. The scale-less dorsal area 

of its thorax has a greenish sheen. 

It has a characteristic sailing flight and is active during most of the day except early 

morning and late afternoon. It eludes the heat by resting in closed wing position 

during the hot hours of the day, for otherwise it is found with open wings. It feeds on 

both flowers and fruits. 

Nymphalidae 

This is an iconic butterfly in gloomy wet zone forests, only coming out in openings 

within forests. Its distribution extends to the intermediate zone and occasionally to 

dry zone forests along shady streams. 

LFPs: Strobilanthes species (fk¿) including S. lupulina and S. diandra 

It prefers sunny habitats such as parks, roadside vegetation, wastelands and scrublands. 

LFPs: This butterfly has the most number of LFPs in Sri Lanka which are not even 

restricted to certain families of plants. It uses 30 plant species in 7 families. It includes 

Dalbergia pseudo-sissoo (nUr je,a), Trema orientalis (.evqU) and Urena lobata (wem,) 



M 

LC 

Commander Moduza procris 

Clipper Parthenos sylvia 

M 

LC 

Nymphalidae 

The sexes are similar. The upper side is reddish brown. The cells of both wings and 

interspace 1b of the forewing have a red bar outlined in black. The prominent 

oblique white band depletes into patches towards the upper margin. A diffused band 

consisting of red and dark brown markings is present exterior to the white band. The 

dark brown marginal and sub-marginal bands are more pronounced in the hind wing. 

The basal area of its underside is bluish grey, and turns to greyish brown distally. The 

pattern is similar to the upper side, but lacks the red bar in the hind wing cell. 

The Commander is mostly dependent on fruits and tree sap, but also visits flowers. It 

feeds on the fruits of Melastoma malabathricum (uy fndaúáhd) along rain forest tracks. 

Males engage in mud sipping but never congregate. Females make a great effort to 

lay eggs at the tips of leaves, as it facilitates the related behaviour of the larvae. 

This forest-dwelling species can be found in sunny openings such as forest paths 

and streams. They are seen in gloomy areas, especially when searching for LFPs. It 

is distributed throughout the country but is more abundant in the lower wet zone. 

LFPs: Rubiaceae plants including Mussaenda frondosa (uqiaiekao), Wendlandia 

bicuspidata (jk bo,), Mitragyna parvifolia (ye

S 

EN 

Baronet Symphaedra nais 

Baron Euthalia aconthea 

M 

EN 

Nymphalidae 

The upper side is bright orange. The white colour of its cilia is distinct due to the 

contrasting black border on the outer margins of both wings. The spots on the submarginal 

row of its hind wing convert into an irregular line on the forewing. The 

other black markings on forewing vary. Its underside is more variable than the upper 

surface. The purplish tinge on its hind wing also varies. The white oblique band is 

entirely absent on its hind wing and is reduced in the forewing of some individuals. 

Each cell has two red patches outlined in black which are circular on the hind wing. 

The tips of its antenna and proboscis are yellowish in colour. 

The Baronet eagerly feeds on the juice of fruits. Dozens attracted to fallen berries can 

be seen under Drypetes sepiaria (ùr) trees. They are also attracted to human sweat. 

Males engage in mud puddling. These butterflies tolerate disturbances to a great 

extent when they are feeding. 

The tips of its antennae are reddish and its proboscis is greenish yellow in colour. 

The male is much smaller than the female. Male: The upper side has variegated 

brilliant metallic sheens of green that fade with age. The sheen also differs according 

to the angle of viewing. The basal parts are darker than the distal area and the outer 

margins are marked in greenish brown. Both cells have markings on dark lines. The 

white patches beyond the forewing cell vary. The underside is flushed in dull white. 

There are black lines on its cells and a row of sub-marginal black spots on both wings. 

Female: The upper side is brown with a slight purplish sheen on its hind wing and a 

green sheen on its forewing. The forewing has an oblique band of white patches. The 

underside is similar to that of a male, except that it has a white band on its forewing. 

The fast flying Baron eagerly feeds on fruits. They visit fruits both on trees and on the 

ground and flies at all the levels without any particular preference. 

Male 

Female 

Nymphalidae 

This is purely a savannah grassland species. It is quite common in those habitats 

during the rainy season but diminishes in numbers due to excessive man-made forest 

fires. 

This butterfly is common in home gardens since their larval food plants are commonly 

available. It is distributed throughout the country, but become scarce towards the 

hills. 

LFPs: Its sole larval food plant is Diospyros melanoxylon (îä fld< .ia$l=vqïfíßh) 

LFPs: Anacardium occidentale (lcq), Mangifera indica (wU), Nothopegia beddomei (n,) 



S 

VU 

Black Prince Rohana parisatis 

Nawab Polyura athamas 

M 

LC 

Nymphalidae 

Female 

Male 

Both sexes have a falcate forewing apex. The tips of its antennae are orange coloured. 

Male: The smaller of the two sexes, its hind wing is elongated at the anal angle. The 

upper side is dark brown with a dark blue sheen that can only be seen at a certain 

angle. The three or four minute spots near the apex of the forewing are the only 

markings on the upper surface. The underside takes on various shades of brown 

ranging from red to black. Apical white spots are also present on this surface. Female: 

The upper side is yellowish orange. The bases of both wings and the apex of the 

forewing have black dustings leaving a brighter band in between. Minute white spots 

are present near the apex. The underside is similar to that of the male, but is less vivid. 

This butterfly is fond of feeding on fruits. Males engage in mud sipping. It is very 

difficult to locate the male when it is perched on the ground among leaf litter with its 

wings spread flat. Males perch on foliage at openings to look for females. 

Females have much longer tails. The upper side is brownish-black with large sulphur 

yellow areas in the middle continuing through both wings. The two sub-apical spots, 

the row of sub-marginal spots on the hind wing and the tornal markings are the same 

colour. Its tails are dusted with a light blue tint. The underside takes on cryptic brown 

colours ranging from rosy brown basally to golden brown distally. Its sulphur yellow 

markings have a greenish hue and are outlined in black in the basal end. A band of 

brownish red markings adjoin the yellow band on the hind wing. A black line runs 

across both cells and the forewing cell contains two black spots. 

The Nawab is a very fast butterfly, flying amongst trees in search of tree sap and fruits. 

It also comes to the ground for rotten fruits and eagerly feeds on toddy dribbled 

under Caryota urens (ls;=,a) trees. It feeds on the faecal matter of otters which contains 

the undigested parts of crabs and shrimps. They engage in ‘hill topping’ . 

Feeding on sweat on 

a camera strap 

Nymphalidae 

This butterfly is uncommon in the highest hills, but is spread around the lower 

hills especially along streams where their larval food plant grows. It has an isolated 

population in the Monaragala Mountain. 

LFPs: Celtis timorensis (.=rekao) 

The Nawab is not abundant, but is a regular in dry and intermediate zone forests 

along streams with exposed boulders where otters excrete. 

LFPs: Acacia caesia (ysÕ=re), A. pennata(f.dv ysÕ=re), Ventilago madraspatana (hlv 

je,a). 



M 

NT 

Tawny Rajah Charaxes psaphon 

Tawny Coster Acraea violae 

S 

LC 

Nymphalidae 

Male 

Male 

The female is larger. The tornus and vein 2 on the hind wing extend into minute tails. 

Male: The hind wing and basal parts of the forewing are reddish orange. A large 

portion of the outward area of the forewing is jet black with a black line at the cell end. 

The black of the hind wing is not as dark as that of the forewing. The two silvery white 

spots at the anal angle are edged in black. The underside takes on various shades of 

rusty brown, separated by irregular black oblique lines. Female: A broad, pure white 

band just beyond the cell of the forewing. This band faintly extends up to interspace 

6 of the hind wing. The silvery white spots are not restricted to the anal angle and 

continue throughout as a sub-marginal row in the hind wing. Its underside has a 

yellowish tinge which gives it a lighter appearance than the male. 

The fast flying Tawny Rajah travels at all levels through the forest. They only feed on 

rotting fruit, tree sap and faecal matter. Males are fond of mud sipping, but females 

are rarely seen on the ground. They engage in ‘hill topping’. This is a migrant species. 

This butterfly is not an abundant species is more likely found in dry zone forests. 

The sexes are almost alike. This orange-coloured butterfly has black spots throughout 

both surfaces of its wings. The spots on its forewing are larger than those on its hind 

wing. The black colour of the outer margin of its forewing extends along the veins. 

The hind wing has a broad, black outer margin, with a row of circular spots on the 

upper side. These spots are whitish in females and orange in males. The brightness of 

the orange colour is reduced due to the white dustings on its underside. The pattern 

is the same as on the upper surface, except that the spots on the outer margin of the 

hind wing are bigger and white in colour in both sexes. This butterfly sheds its scales 

giving its wings a transparent look as it becomes older. 

It is a slow, casual flier. It is fond of flying close to the ground and prefers to feed 

on herbaceous flowers such as Tridax procumbens. Adult females have different 

preferences in LFPs selection, depending on the region. It joins with migration. 

This species is commonly found all over the country amidst road side vegetation, 

scrublands, wastelands and parks. 

Female 

Nymphalidae 

LFPs: Dalbergia pseudo-sissoo (nUr je,a), Entada rheedii (mqiaje,a), Croton laccifer (.ia 

lemafmÜáhd). 

LFPs: Although it has only a few plants, they belong to different families. Plants 

include Hybanthus enneaspermus, Passiflora foetida (mv je,a) and Ipomoea indica. 



M 

LC 

Common Evening Brown Melanitis leda 

Tamil Tree Brown Lethe drypetis 

S 

EN 

Nymphalidae 

Wet Season Form 

Dry Season Form 

There are two distinct seasonal forms. The dry season form has a noticeably falcate 

forewing apex. In both forms, it is more pronounced in the female. Wet season form: 

The upper side is dull brown. The forewing has two ‘eye spots’ near the apex marked 

in black with a bluish white centre. These spots touch each other and one is distinctly 

large. The hind wing has two more clearly marked and separate ‘eye spots’ between 

the tornus and the anal angle. The creamy underside is heavily mottled in dark brown. 

The sub-marginal spots are more prominent on the hind wing and are always outlined 

by a golden yellow ring. Dry season form: the ‘eye spots’ on the upper side of hind 

wing are reduced or absent. The underside is highly variable, ranging from creamy 

brown to dark brown with or without sporadic blackish patches and the ‘eye spots’ 

highly reduced. Intermediate colour forms also occur. 

The Common Evening Brown is only active at dusk and dawn. It prefers to dwell on 

the thicket floor. It feeds on rotting fruits and tree sap. 

This butterfly is commonly found all over the country in every type of gloomy habitat 

ranging from forests to home gardens. 

The outer margin of the hind wing is serrated making a short tail at the tornus. Male: 

Dark brown on the upper side with a few small, black sub-marginal spots on the 

hind wing. The underside is dark brown, clouded with a purplish tinge. The spots on 

interspaces 2 and 6 on the hind wing are equally large and rounded. The other ‘eye 

spots’ are not rounded and have minute white spots throughout the black centre. The 

‘eye spots’ on the forewing lack the golden brown rings. Female: A large portion of the 

distal parts of the forewing is darker than the basal area on the upper surface, and has 

two dull, white oblique bands. The black spots on its hind wing are more pronounced. 

The underside is similar to that of the male except for the reduced intensity of the 

purple scales, and the broad, irregular, oblique band across the forewing. 

The Tamil Tree Brown depends on rotting fruits and tree sap. It occasionally opens its 

wings to bask on cool days. 

This forest-dwelling species is found under the shade of thickets, especially around 

bamboo plants. It is a hill country butterfly, but declines in numbers at the highest 

levels of elevation giving space to the Sri Lankan Tree Brown. 

Female 

Male 

Nymphalidae 

LFPs: Oryza sativa (f.dhï), Panicum maximum (.sks lS/iai), Setaria barbata. 

LFPs: Davidsea attenuata, Bambusa vulgaris (WK), Dendrocalamus giganteus 



M 

LC 

E 

Sri Lankan Tree Brown Lethe daretis 

Medus Brown Orsotriaena medus 

S 

LC 

Nymphalidae 

Male 

Female 

The outer margin of the hind wing is serrated, forming a short tail at the tornus. Male: 

Dark brown on the upper surface with a sub-marginal row of small black spots on the 

hind wing and a few yellowish brown patches near the upper margin of the forewing. 

The underside is dark brown in colour and clouded with purplish scales. All the ‘eye 

spots’ on the hind wing are rounded. There is no marked difference in size between 

the ‘eye spots’ on interspace 2 and 6 in relation to the others, while the ‘eye spots’ on 

the forewing lack a yellowish outer ring. The forewing has an irregular, oblique white 

line beyond the cell. Female: The upper side resembles that of the female Tamil Tree 

Brown but the oblique line on its forewing is much more irregular and the row of 

sub-marginal spots on its hind wing is outlined in diffused yellow-brown rings. The 

underside is similar to that of the male, but the oblique line on the forewing is wider. 

The Sri Lankan Tree Brown feeds on tree sap and rotting fruits. It uses the colour 

pattern on its underside to camouflage itself against tree trunks with lichens and 

moss. Unlike other Tree Browns, it comes out even during day time. 

This butterfly is only found in cloud forests in the highest mountains. 

LFPs: it has been observed that adults lay eggs on Arundinaria debilis 

The sexes are alike except for the sex brand found at the lower margin of the underside 

of the forewing in males. The upper side is completely dark brown except for the 

two rows of very thin white sub-marginal lines. They are far more prominent on the 

hind wing. The underside is dark brown with a broad, regular, oblique white band 

across both wings. Its margin is sharp towards the base and diffuses towards the outer 

margins. Both its wings have two large ‘eye spots’ each and the hind wing has another 

small ‘eye spot’ adjacent to the upper big spot. The blue iridescent rings fade with age, 

sometimes vanishing entirely. Sub-marginal lines are present as on the upper surface. 

The Medus Brown feeds on tree sap, fruits and other rotting matter found on the 

ground. It never climbs to tree tops for sap like the other large Nymphalids. It lives in 

the shade under thickets, but comes out to grass patches more frequently than other 

Bush Browns. Its flight is slow and it always remains within a small area. 

This butterfly is common throughout the country. It does not go deep into forests, but 

is found in shady habitats. 

LFPs: Axonopus compressus (f.dx ;Kfld,), Oryza sativa (f.dhï), Panicum maximum 

(.sks lS/iai). 

Nymphalidae 



S 

LC 

E 

Sri Lankan Tamil Bush Brown Mycalesis subdita 

Common Bush Brown Mycalesis perseus 

S 

LC 

Nymphalidae 

Dry season form 

Female - wet 

season form 

The sexes are alike except for the large light brown sex brand in males found on the 

underside of the forewing. The upper side is dark brown with a large ‘eye spot’ on the 

forewing in both dry and wet season individuals. Sometimes a small, faint ‘eye spot’ is 

apparent on the hind wing. The outer marginal lines are marked in light brown. The 

size and the number of the ‘eye spots’ on the underside vary. Usually the female has 

larger spots and the wet season form bears the largest. The four lower spots on the 

hind wing are arranged in a straight line. The area between the white oblique line 

and the outer margin has purplish grey dustings. The white band diffuses towards the 

outer margin more laxly than in other Bush Browns, but this is not always apparent. 

The sexes are alike except for the small black sex brand on the underside of the 

forewing in males, which is usually concealed by the hind wing. The upper side is dark 

brown. It has an ill-defined, variable ‘eye spot’ on the middle of the fore wing in its dry 

season form, but this feature is absent in its wet season form. The prominence of the 

‘eye spots’ on its underside is highly variable and the white line encircling the spots 

may be absent in some individuals. The four lower spots on the hind wing are placed 

in an incurved arc, leaving a larger gap between the wing margin and the spot, in 

the middle two. A white oblique band is present across both its wings, and is usually 

thinner than that of the Dark Brand Bush Brown. Females tend to have broader bands. 

Wet season form 

Nymphalidae 

Habits of the Tamil Bush Brown are very similar to Medus Brown. It never moves from 

one shady location to another across an opened-up area during mid-day. If it wants 

to do so, it waits until the evening. 

It is found in shady habitats and occurs together with Common Bush Brown 

throughout the dry zone. It is fairly abundant in the north of the island and the 

savannahs in the Uva Province. 

LFPs: Axonopus compressus (f.dx ;Kfld,), Panicum maximum (.sks lS/iai). 

The habits of the Common Bush Brown are very similar to those of the Tamil Bush 

Brown. 

This butterfly is commonly found in shady places all over the country, except for in 

dense forests. Coconut plantations with thickets are a good habitat for this butterfly. 

LFPs: Various grasses including Eleusine indica (ne,;K), Oryza sativa (f.dhï) and 

Axonopus compressus (f.dx ;Kfld,). 



S 

LC 

Gladeye Bush Brown Mycalesis patina 

White Four Ring Ypthima ceylonica 

S 

LC 

Nymphalidae 

The female is duller in appearance and bigger in size. The upper side is rusty brown. 

It has a black ‘eye spot’ with a white centre on the forewing. It is enhanced by a large 

crescent shaped orange-coloured patch just above the ‘eye spot’. The white patch 

near the apex varies in size. A bright-coloured patch is apparent on the cell end and 

extends towards the outer margin. The minute orange spots on the hind wing may 

be absent. Two marginal lines are distinct on the hind wing. The underside is highly 

variable both in background colour and pattern. The background colour is always 

paler than that of the upper surface and the ‘eye spots’ encircled in beautiful silver 

lines are very prominent. Dry zone individuals are much lighter in colour. 

It feeds on fallen rotting fruits, decaying matter on the ground, and flowers. It flies 

among shrubs and grasses in gloomy forests and it is easily disturbed. It occasionally 

basks under the morning sun with partially opened wings. When alarmed, it suddenly 

closes its wings and only flies away if the threat is still approaching. 

The upper side is greyish brown with a large white area on the hind wing. The 

forewing has a large circular black spot with two minute white spots inside and it is 

further outlined in a brownish yellow line. The white spots have light blue lustre in 

newly emerged individuals. The hind wing has two or three small ‘eye spots’ above a 

wavy sub-marginal band. The dull brown background of the underside of its forewing 

is striated in white, while the colours are inverted on its hind wing. Females expose 

more white on the hind wing. The forewing has a very large ‘eye spot’, while the hind 

wing always has four spots. The sizes of these spots vary. 

The White Four Ring frequently flies among grasses and rarely ascends to bushes. It 

feeds on grass flowers and also visits herbaceous flowers among the grasses. It flies in 

both shady and sunny conditions, and its flight is weak and slow. When it is alarmed, 

it suddenly opens up its wings to display the large ‘eye spots’. If the threat further 

proceeds, it flies into a thicket. 

Nymphalidae 

These butterflies can be found in shady places in the forest, but never in gardens. It is 

common in wetter parts of the island, but also appears in dry zone forests. 

Commonly found all over the country, their numbers are quite low in the highest hills 

and the northern region. It is an inhabitant of open vegetation and avoids forests. 

LFPs: Forest grass species including Cyrtococcum trigonum and Rilawal (ß,dj,a) 

LFPs: Grasses including Axonopus compressus (f.dx ;Kfld,), Cyrtococcum trigonum. 



M 

LC 

Common Palm Fly Elymnias hypermnestra 

Apefly Spalgis epeus 

T 

LC 

Nymphalidae 

Female 

Male 

Male: Dark brown on the upper side with a broad golden brown band on the outer 

margin of the hind wing. This band is divided by dark brown lines along its veins. 

Sometimes, the forewing has shiny blue spots or streaks towards the upper margin 

of the forewing. A sex brand is visible along the hind wing cell. Its reddish brown 

underside is striated in grey-brown increasing towards the outer margins. There is a 

small white spot above the hind wing cell. Female: Its upper side resembles that of 

the Common Tiger. Its basal parts are orange coloured, while the surrounding areas 

are dark brown. The forewing has a broad white sub-apical band and it extends in the 

form of spots along the outer margin. The hind wing has a distal row of distinct white 

spots. The underside is similar to that of the male but is lighter in colour and often 

reveals traces of white markings on the upper surface. 

Though the female mimics the Tiger, it never perches with open wings to expose its 

colour pattern. 

Common in open vegetation throughout the lowlands, it is abundant in coconut 

plantations. 

LFPs: Cocos nucifera (fmd,a), Areca catechu (mqjla), Caryota urens (ls;=,a). 

Dry season individuals are smaller. Males have pointed forewings, but otherwise the 

sexes look similar. The upper side is dull brown. The forewing has a white patch at the 

centre. The size of the patch varies to a great extent, being almost absent in some 

butterflies. The underside is a light brownish grey, and is marked with numerous wavy, 

dark brown lines. Its legs and abdomen are marked to suit the pattern of the wings, 

but its eyes are distinct due to their golden yellow colour. Its antennae project upright 

and forward and are set close to each other. It has long upright labial palpi. 

The tiny Apefly frequently flies around small trees and many of its typical activities 

including feeding and basking are done at this level. Females never perch steadily 

on plants to lay eggs, but instead dash to the plant to lay an egg and quickly returns. 

This habit allows them to escape the ants that tend to inhabit the places where they 

lay eggs. 

This butterfly is common throughout the country and is abundant in fruit plantations. 

It avoids both extremes: dense forest and vast openings. 

LFPs: Larvae of this butterfly are carnivorous and never feed on plant material. They 

entirely feed on mealy bugs (msá ul=Kd). 

Lycaenidae 



S 

LC 

Red Spot Zesius chrysomallus 

Yamfly Loxura atymnus 

S 

LC 

Lycaenidae 

Male 

Female 

Male: The two tails at the hind wing are almost equal in length. The upper side is 

bright red. The hind wing has some black patches near the tails. The underside is 

greyish white. Both wings have distal bands and irregular spots basally which are 

marked in dark grey and red. Two black spots capped in bright orange with blue scales 

between them are present near the tails. Female: The two tails beside the central tail 

are shorter. The upper surface is dull brown with varying, iridescent blue basal parts. 

The black spots near the tails are sometimes capped in orange. The pattern on the 

underside is similar to that of the male, but the red scales are almost absent. 

The sexes are alike. The hind wing tornus is developed into a long, curly tail. The upper 

side is bright orange with dull scales at the base. The forewing has a broad, black band 

commencing half way from the upper margin and goes across the apex up to the end 

of the outer margin. While the background colour of the underside varies, it is always 

paler than the upper side. It has a distal band of markings along both wings and some 

irregular patches located basally to the band. These markings are almost indistinct in 

some individuals. The tip of its tail is white in colour. The eye is prominent against its 

white body. 

Lycaenidae 

The Red Spot prefers to fly fast amongst trees but occasionally comes to lower levels. 

It basks in the morning sun with partially opened wings, usually at unreachable 

heights. It feeds on tree sap and visits flowers. 

It is never abundant and is distributed throughout low elevations, preferring gardens 

and parks but avoiding dense forests. 

LFPs: Psidium guajava (fmar), Cassia fistula (weye

T 

LC 

Monkey Puzzle Rathinda amor 

Common Silverline Spindasis vulcanus 

S 

LC 

Lycaenidae 

Male 

The central tail on its hind wing is longer than the two tails beside. The female is 

larger and has a rounded forewing apex. The colour on the upper surface varies from 

dull greyish brown to reddish brown. The white patch on the forewing varies in size, 

typically being larger in females and dry season individuals. The red patches near the 

tails sometimes extend towards the apex along the outer margin. Occasionally, black 

spots are present in between these patches and tails. The colour and the pattern on 

the underside vary. The hind wing and basal parts of the forewing of the female are 

entirely white in colour, with various shades and streaks of brown and yellow. Golden 

brown shades are prominent in males, with very little white. The brightness of the 

shiny light blue sub-marginal scales diminishes with age. Its tails are tipped in white. 

The Monkey Puzzle flies from shrub level to small tree level in a slow, bouncing flight. 

They like to feed on the sap at the pedicels of fallen Ixora coccinea (r;a u,a$r;U,d). 

Both sexes live around LFPs. Common in home gardens and other sparsely wooded 

areas, it can also be seen in dry forests where its LFPs are common in the sub-canopy. 

It has two hairy tails on the hind wing. The upper side of the male is dark chocolate 

brown, often without any shiny blue scales. Rarely, blue scales can be seen on the 

hind wing, but the colour is different to that seen among other Silverlines. The female 

is similar but is of a duller hue with some lead-coloured scales. The orange coloured 

markings on the centre of the forewing vary in both sexes and the patch at the tails 

extend along the outer margin in some females. The underside varies in pattern 

irrespective of the sex. They have red bands on a pale yellow background. There are 

silver patches embossed within these bands. The outer margin of the forewing is 

always red. The second red band from the outer margin is usually not divided by the 

black outline apparent on the fore wing. Bands 2 and 3 on the hind wing have a larger 

gap leaving a greater yellow area. Its abdomen is barred in red or black. 

It is a very fast flier, and is seen to dart among herbs and scrubs. It tolerates a lot of 

disturbances when feeding on nectar of certain plants like Vernonia zeylanica (mqmq,). 

It is common in dry zone scrublands, especially towards the coast. 

Lycaenidae 

LFPs: Flowers of Ixora coccinea (r;a u,a$r;U,d) and leaves of Gomphia serrata (fnda 

lEr) and Dimorphocalyx glabellus (je,sjekak). 

LFPs: Cardiospermum halicacabum (fmfk, je,a), Senna auriculata (rKjrd). It has a 

great affinity with ants. 



T 

LC 

Common Shot Silverline Spindasis ictis 

Peacock Royal Tajuria cippus 

S 

LC 

Lycaenidae 

Male 

wet season form 

It has two hairy tails on the hind wing. The male is dark chocolate brown with a large 

shot-blue patch on its hind wing, extending up to vein 2 or very rarely up to vein 3 

on the forewing in its dry season form. The brightness of this patch varies according 

to the viewing angle. The orange patch on the forewing varies. The shot-blue hue 

is absent in females and traces of plumbeous scales are visible on both wings. The 

underside varies remarkably. While the outer margin of the forewing never has a red 

band, it sometimes has a sub-marginal band of the black spots. In wet season form, 

the background colour is pale yellow and its dull reddish bands are well-defined. In 

the dry season, the background colour and band colour take on shades of sandy 

brown, almost leaving no difference between the two. Intermediate colour forms are 

also common. The light-coloured abdomen is ringed in a mixture of black and rusty 

brown or only in rusty brown. 

its habits are almost similar to those of the Common Silverline. 

This dry zone scrublands species is abundant in the southern and northern arid zones. 

This is the only species of Royal with black eyes. The male has a shot-blue upper 

surface with a broad black apical band on the forewing. This black band extends along 

the outer and upper margin. The exterior margin of the blue patch on the forewing 

is irregular. The upper side of the female takes on a lighter shade of blue with a slight 

increase in brightness towards the forewing base. The exterior margin of its blue 

patch is regular. The blue on its hind wing does not reach the outer margin, leaving 

a black patch in between. It has a distal row of short, almost parallel, black lines. The 

underside looks similar in both sexes and is pure white with two black spots capped 

in orange near the tails. The light blue iridescence between these spots varies. Its 

distal band of black streaks is more prominent on the hind wing than on the forewing. 

The Peacock Royal readily comes to herbaceous flowers in open vegetation, but 

restricts itself to small trees in wooded areas. It usually selects high positions to bask. 

This butterfly can be found in any habitat where its larval food plants are available, 

except in dense forest areas. It is low in numbers in the hill country. 

Male 

Lycaenidae 

LFPs: Acacia eburnea (l=l=,a lgq), Senna auriculata (rKjrd) and Senna surattensis. It 

has a great affinity with ants. 

LFPs: Various Loranthaceae plants including Dendrophthoe ligulata, Taxilus cuneatus 

and Dendrophthoe falcata. 



T 

LC 

Nilgiri Tit Hypolycaena nilgirica 

Large Guava Blue Virachola perse 

S 

VU 

Lycaenidae 

Female 

The male is dark reddish purple-brown on the upper side. It has two black spots 

capped in orange near the tails. The female is pale brown. The black spots at the 

tornus are not heavily capped in orange as in the male. It has tapering patches of 

white dustings above the black spots and in the adjacent interspaces. The underside 

looks similar in both sexes but can vary. The background is white with a black spot at 

each tail, as on the upper side. Both wings have a faint sub-marginal band of crescentshaped 

markings and a distinct distal band. The hind wing has a black spot near the 

upper margin and golden yellow wavy markings in the distal band at the bottom. 

It has another black spot above the cell of the hind wing, basally to the distal band. 

Males engage in mud sipping. Their flight is moderately fast and they visit flowers in 

hedges. They bask in the morning, but do not open their wings otherwise. 

It has a minute tail at the tornus and a circular lobe near the anal angle. This lobe is 

situated perpendicular to the wing when the butterfly is in closed wing position and 

acts as a false eye spots at the back. The male has a shiny bright blue colour on the 

upper surface of most of the hind wing and basal parts of forewing, while the rest is 

black in colour. It has a sex brand on the hind wing which is usually concealed by the 

forewing. The female is a more muted shade of blue and does not have the sex brand. 

It has a whitish patch beyond the forewing cell and a sub-marginal row of indistinct 

black spots on the hind wing. The underside has the same pattern in both sexes but 

the male has a purple wash over the background. It has a distal row of large spots and 

a cell end spot in both wings. A circular black spot is present in the basal area near the 

upper margin of the hind wing. ‘Eye spots’ are present at both the tornus and the lobe, 

with light blue scales apparent in between. 

Male 

Male 

Lycaenidae 

The cryptic Nilgiri Tit appears to be more common than we encounter. Their early 

stages are more prevalent. They inhabit forests and lush home gardens, especially 

those with orchids. 

LFPs: Flowers and aerial roots of both native and introduced orchids including 

Spathoglottis plicata, Malaxis versicolour and Vanda tessellata. 

It is a very fast flier and eagerly feeds on flowers of shrubs and large herbs. 

It is a dry zone butterfly who is found in any type of open vegetation, where its larval 

food plant grows. 

LFPs: Larvae feed within the fruit of Catunaregam spinosa (l=l=reudka$mqmqreuy). 



S 

VU 

Indigo Flash Rapala varuna 

Cornelian Deudorix epijarbas 

S 

VU 

Lycaenidae 

Male 

It has a minute tornal tail and a circular lobe at the anal angle which acts as a false eye 

at the back. The metallic indigo blue on the upper side of the male fades in to black 

towards the forewing margin, varying according to the viewing angle. The pale brown 

circular sex brand on its hind wing is usually concealed by the forewing. The female 

is a much lighter blue with a purple wash. The underside looks similar in both sexes. 

The background varies from pale brown in the dry season form to dark grayish brown 

in the wet season form. Its distal bands are much broader and more irregular than in 

its relatives. The cell end patch of the hind wing usually touches the distal band. It 

has ‘eye spots’ both at the tornus and the lobe and black and blue scales in between. 

The fast flying Indigo Flash prefers to bask at around 2.00 pm in the afternoon under 

beams of light that filter down through trees to the shrubbery. Usually 2-3 individuals 

participate in this activity together. It is fond of feeding on nectar from shrubs. 

It is found in forests and verdant home gardens. Though it is distributed throughout 

the low country, it seems to be more abundant in the wet zone than in the dry zone. 

It is not a regularly observed butterfly. 

The circular lobes at the anal angle of the hind wings act as false eyes, deceiving 

predators that come up from its behind. The eyes are distinctly large. The upper side 

of the male’s hind wing and basal parts of the forewing are deep shiny red. The rest 

of the forewing is black in colour. The hind wing veins are thinly marked in black. 

The upper side of the female is completely dark greyish brown with barely exposed 

forewing cells in a much darker hue. The underside is similar in pattern in both sexes, 

with a purplish sheen on males. Its distal bands are very broad and only merely 

marked in white outlines without any distinct separation in colour in relation to the 

background. Its black tornal spot is situated further inward towards the base, and is 

often completely ringed in orange in contrast to only a capping in Rapala species. 

The very fast flying Cornelian prefers to feed on compound flowers such as 

Chromolaena odorata (fmdäisx[af[daurx). It is often seen flying around small shrubs. 

This is a migrant species. 

It can be seen throughout the low country in scrublands and amidst other open 

vegetation but is not a frequently seen species. 

False head at 

the back 

Lycaenidae 

LFPs: Ziziphus oenoplia (ySka trñKshd) 

LFPs: Seeds of Cardiospermum halicacabum (fmfk, je,a) by boreing into the fruit. 



T 

LC 

Pointed Ciliated Blue Anthene lycaenina 

Pale Four Line Blue Nacaduba hermus 

T 

NT 

Lycaenidae 

Male 

Its cilia are pointed at the veins on the hind wing and extend into white, forming 

minute, short, stiff tails along vein 1 and 2. The upper side of the male is entirely 

coloured in dark, metallic navy blue except for the very thin black line along outer 

margins. The blue is restricted only to the base of the wings in mostly blackish brown 

coloured females. It has a few black spots capped in white near the hind wing tornus. 

The underside is similar in both sexes. It has two sub-marginal rows of cresecentshaped 

markings on both wings which diffuse into the lower part of the hind wing. 

The distal area of both wings is marked in white streaks, with distinctly separated 

markings on the cell end of the forewing. The black tornal spot is slightly capped in 

reddish orange. The other black circular spot at the hind wing is ringed in white. 

Males are seen mud puddling on gravel roads and even on concreted roads after 

rains. Females are rarely observed and are always seen on flowers of shrubs. It is a 

fast-flying butterfly. 

This butterfly can be seen in forest corridors throughout the low country. It is locally 

common in these habitats. 

The upper side of the male is shiny blue throughout. The tornal spot is faintly visible 

on the upper side. The blue of the female takes on a greyish tint and is restricted to 

the basal parts of the largely dark brown wings. Its black tornal spot is fairly distinct. 

The underside is similar in both sexes. The forewing has four bands of short white 

streaks which are narrow and well defined in comparison to other Four Line Blues. The 

hind wing has six rows of such bands which are not clearly separated. Both its wings 

have two sub-marginal rows of cresecent-shaped markings. These lunules in the outer 

row touch the marginal line. The black tornal spot is not particularly elongated and is 

capped in orange. Its antennae are striped in white, while the tip is completely black. 

Preferring to fly around bushes in the sub-canopy, they feed on flowers. Males 

descend to the ground for mud sipping. The females are usually sedentary and stay 

around their LFPs. 

These forest-dwellers are also found in disturbed forest-adjacent areas which tend to 

be a good habitat for its LFPs. Common in the wet zone, it extends its range to the 

intermediate zone. 

Female 

Lycaenidae 

LFPs: Immature leaves of Lepisanthes tetraphylla. 

LFPs: Immature leaves of Symplocos cochinchinensis (fndaUq). 



T 

LC 

Common Line Blue Prosotas nora 

Tailless Line Blue Prosotas dubiosa 

T 

LC 

Lycaenidae 

Male 

The dull background is exposed through the numerous shiny dark blue scales which 

are dispersed throughout the upper surface of the wings in males. These blue scales 

are restricted to the base of the forewing and are also occasionally seen on the hind 

wing in females. The underside is similar in both sexes, with a high degree of variation 

in colour. Both wings have six rows of white streaks. The lunules are indistinctly marked 

near the outer margins of both wings in comparison to the distinct white marks seen 

in the six Lineblues. The black tornal spot is capped in orange and has some shiny, 

light blue scales. At one extreme, the background colour is a dull greyish brown, while 

it is brownish yellow at the other end. Intermediate forms are also present and some 

appear to be greyish brown, having brownish yellow only in between the white lines. 

It has no tails and its wings are more rounded. The upper side of the male is a slightly 

different shade of blue in comparison to the Common Line Blue. In females, the blue 

is confined to the base of the forewing. While the underside of both sexes are similar, 

there is some varition in colour and more in pattern. Both wings have six bands of 

irregular white lines, especially in the outer pair of bands of the forewing. The pair 

of basal bands of the forewing extends below the cell. The bands on the hind wing 

are not distinctly separated. Usually, the cresecent-shaped markings are more distinct 

than in the Common Line Blue, but never as in the Six Line Blues. The black tornal 

spot is outlined in orange at length, sometimes to the point of a complete ring. The 

anal angle could have two minute black spots surrounded by orange and blue scales. 

Lycaenidae 

This species usually lives in groups. It flies at shrub level but climbs up to tall LFPs. 

Males frequently visit wet patches on the ground in numbers. 

Its habits are almost similar to those of the Common Line Blue and both species tend 

to occur together. 

This butterfly resides in a range of habitat types from wastelands to forests throughout 

the country. It is locally abundant around larval food plants. 

Its habitats are also similar to that of the Common Line Blue, except that they are less 

likely to be found in wastelands. This butterfly is distributed throughout the country. 

LFPs: Flowers of many plants including Murraya koenigii (lrmsxpd), Acacia pennata 

(f.dv ysÕ=re) and Terminalia catappa (fldÜgïnd). 

LFPs: Flowers of Albizia odoratissima (iQßh udr), Pithecellobium dulce (ueks,d ishU,d) 

and Samanea saman (mdfr udr). 



T 

LC 

Dark Cerulean Jamides bochus 

Common Cerulean Jamides celeno 

T 

LC 

Lycaenidae 

In males, the upper surface is a dark, shiny metallic blue with a broad black band 

on the margins of its forewing. The lighter blue female has a smaller area of metallic 

sheen. The hind wing has a sub-marginal row of light blue crescent-shaped markings 

on a black background. The underside of both sexes is similar and it is darker than that 

of any other Cerulean. The prominence of the white markings varies, but is never as 

distinct as in the Sri Lankan Cerulean. The forewing has four bands of white streaks 

and the hind wing has a ‘>’ mark at interspace 1b. These features allow Ceruleans to be 

differentiated from other Lycaenids. The ‘>’ of this species is much deeper. It has two 

sub-marginal rows of blunt cresecent-shaped markings on both wings. 

If the Dark Cerulean is resting on a leaf, it always perches on an edge to stay alert by 

looking forward. It exposes its false head to predators that come up from behind by 

rubbing its hind wing. 

Though it prefers gloomy habitats, it is also abundant in bean plantations. Its migratory 

flights can be seen even at the highest elevations. 

The male is the lightest shade of blue in relation to other ceruleans. It is greyish 

blue in colour, while the sub-marginal areas of both wings are relatively brighter. The 

black outer margin is of uniform width along the forewing. The hind wing has a submarginal 

row of black spots. In the female, the black boarder is wider at the apex, 

and goes up to the upper margin of the forewing. The hind wing has a sub-marginal 

row of cresecent-shaped markings. The undersides of both sexes are light brownish 

grey. Its two sub-marginal rows form continuous bands of straight, thick white lines. 

The marginal white band also forms a continuous line and is clearly separated from 

the outer sub-marginal band. Both the third and fourth white bands from the base of 

forewing are regular. The ‘>’ on the hind wing is deep. The tornal spot is usually heavily 

capped in orange. 

Its resting behavior is similar to that of the Dark Cerulean. They feed on the nectar of 

herbs and small bushes. Males visit damp patches on the ground for mud sipping. 

It is found in all the habitats, but is restricted to openings when in dense forests. 


Lycaenidae 

LFPs: Flowers of many Fabacea plants including Gliricidia sepium (jeg udr$kkaÑ), 

Phaseolus vulgaris (fndaxÑ) and Millettia pinnata (uÕ=,a lr|). 

LFPs: Flowers of various Fabaceae plants including Abrus precatorius (T,s|), Vigna 

unguiculata (uE) and Flemingia macrophylla (j,a W|q). 



T 

LC 

Forget-Me-Not Catochrysops strabo 

Pea Blue Lampides boeticus 

S 

LC 

Lycaenidae 

Male 

The upper side of the male is entirely coloured in forget-me-not blue. It has a black 

tornal spot. The basal parts of the female are a dull greyish blue. Its borders are dark 

brown. Its tornal spot is capped in orange and has a sub-marginal row of ill-defined 

cresecent-shaped markings on the hind wing. Though the underside is similar in both 

sexes, the back ground colour and the prominence of markings vary. Both wings 

have a distal band consisting of two rows of segmented white lines and a dark line 

in between. Similar patches are also present at the cell ends. The hook mark is always 

present on the distal band of the hind wing. The black spot near the upper margin 

of the forewing is roughly situated half way between the distal band and the cell 

end band. Sometimes this spot is absent. Two similar but more prominent spots are 

present near the upper margin of the hind wing. The tornal spot is heavily capped 

in orange and black scales are present at the anal angle with some orange and blue. 

It feeds on herbaceous flowers. Occasionally, the males engage in mud sipping. 

Sometimes dwarf individuals are present. The male is purplish blue on the upper 

side. The veins of the forewing are marked in a lighter colour. The outer margins 

are narrowly bordered in dark brown. It has two black tornal spots, but sometimes 

only one is prominent. Varying amounts of blue is confined to the basal parts of the 

otherwise brown coloured females. Its tornal spots are ringed in white and diffused 

white markings continue along the outer margin. The distal band of white patches on 

the hind wing is diffused. The light brown underside has paired bands of thin white 

streaks. It is dark brown in between this pair of bands, with a broad white band in the 

centre. Its white distal band is pronounced on the hind wing. The black tornal spots 

have some light blue scales and one spot is distinctly capped in orange. 

It flies at scrub height and never goes higher. They bask in the morning but also 

do so around mid-day when the weather is chilly in hilly areas in particular. This is a 

migratory species. 

Male 

Lycaenidae 

This butterfly is common in herbaceous areas in the dry zone. 

LFPs: Flowers of Tephrosia purpurea (.ï ms,$ ms,) and Tephrosia villosa (nQ ms,). 

It has breeding populations all over the country. It is fairly common in tea plantations, 

since its LFPs are grown as hedges. 

LFPs: Crotalaria zanzibarica, Ulex europaeus, Crotalaria pallida (wvkysßhd). 



T 

LC 

Zebra Blue Leptotes plinius 

Common Pierrot Castalius rosimon 

T 

LC 

Lycaenidae 

Male 

It has a minute tornal tail. In males, the upper side is entirely shiny purplish blue. The 

dark brown background is faintly exposed through these blue scales. No markings are 

present. The female has some blue areas around its basal parts with broad, dark brown 

margins. It has a chessboard pattern on the forewing consisting of white patches 

on a dark brown background. This pattern is highly diffused on the hind wing and it 

has a distal row of ill-defined white cresecent-shaped markings. Its black tornal spot 

is ringed in white and the white rings continue along the outer margin leaving the 

background colour in the centre. Its white underside is marked in a brown zebra 

pattern on both wings. The shade of brown varies. It has a marginal row of white rings 

on both wings. There are two tornal spots, the upper one being the most prominent. 

These spots are capped in orange and have variable amounts of light blue scales. 

The Zebra Blue flies around low scrubs and herbs. It feeds on flowers. Males engage in 

mud puddling, sometimes in a group of up to a dozen. 

It’s found throughout the lowlands in scrublands, but more commonly in the dry zone. 

Both sexes are identical except for the smaller area of blue at the wing bases on the 

upper side in females. The pattern on both sides can vary. The cilia of both wings 

are alternately marked in black and white. Its outer margins are marked in black on 

the upper side with a row of white lines on the hind wing. The inward area is white 

with intrusions of black. The black patches on its underside are evenly distributed 

throughout the wings, without leaving any distinct patch-less areas. The forewing has 

a black basal line which continues upto its thorax. The patches on the sub-marginal 

bands are not apparent against the other spots. The sub-marginal spots near the 

tornus are suffused with brilliant, shiny light blue scales in newly emerged individuals. 

It is quite a fast but irregular flier, and flies around shrubs and herbs. It is fond of 

feeding on nectar of those plants and does not feed on bird droppings like the 

Banded Blue Pierrot. 

It is commonly found in open vegetation up to the lower hills including wastelands, 

roadside vegetation and scrublands. In forests, it only appears in sunny openings. 

Lycaenidae 

LFPs: Flowers of Rhynchosia minima (uy j,a fld,a¨), Plumbago zeylanica (t< fkgq,a) 

and Aeschynomene americana. 

LFPs: Ziziphus oenoplia (ySka trñKshd), Gouania microcarpa, Ziziphus mauritiana 

(fonr$uika). 



T 

LC 

Angled Pierrot Caleta decidia 

Grass Jewel Freyeria putli 

T 

LC 

Lycaenidae 

Its upper side is dark brown in colour and the sexes are almost similar. It has a broad 

white transverse band on the hind wing leaving a very small area of dark brown at 

the base. This band continues half way up the forewing, forming a hook-like marking. 

White areas are usually more extensive in females, but also varies seasonally. The 

underside is white with large varying black patches. These patches include two angled 

markings at the upper margin of the forewing and another at the base of the hind 

wing. Occasionally, the band on the hind wing is reduced. It has a sub-marginal row 

of ill-defined lunules on the hind wing. Light blue scales never appear at the tornus. 

Males are found mud sipping along jungle tracks. They do not actively congregate, 

but join with other mud sipping butterflies. The Angled Pierrot is fond of feeding on 

nectar. Its flight is similar to other Pierrots and prefers scrub level. It is rarely basks and 

only opens its wings partially. This is a migrant species. 

This forest-loving species can be seen in sunny openings, but females go into the 

forest to lay eggs. A regular in the low country wet zone, it extends its range to the 

eastern intermediate zone up to Monaragala. 

It has no minute tail. The female is slightly larger than the male. The upper side is 

dark brown throughout with a sub-marginal row of circular black spots. In the female, 

these spots are faintly bordered in yellowish orange. The prominence of markings on 

its underside varies. Its most distinct feature is the row of circular black spots along the 

sub-margin of hind wing. These spots are ringed in orange and the amount of blue 

scales within them varies. Sometimes, these blue scales have a silvery appearance. 

Two bands of cresecent-shaped markings replace the sub-margin on the forewing. 

Both its wings have distal bands and cell end patches consisting of paired thin white 

streaks. The hind wing has five black spots ringed in white. Sometimes the one at 

lower margin is absent. 

The Grass Jewel flies amongst very short grasses and herbs. It is very difficult to locate 

due to its fluttering flight and small size. It is fond of the sun and even flies in the 

hottest hours of the day. It feeds on the nectar of low-lying plants. 

This butterfly is found in very thin, low-lying vegetation in the dry zone. These types of 

vegetation are more abundant in arid areas. It is plentiful in its habitats. 

Male 

Lycaenidae 

LFPs: Immature leaves of Ziziphus rugosa (uy trñKshd) and Gouania microcarpa. 

LFPs: Indigofera tinctoria (ks,a wjß), I. linnaei (ìx wjß), I. oblongifolia. 



T 

LC 

Lesser Grass Blue Zizina otis 

Red Pierrot Talicada nyseus 

S 

LC 

Lycaenidae 

Male 

It has no tornal tails. The male is a uniformly purplish blue butterfly with dark brown 

outer marginal bands. The blue areas in the largely dark brown females are limited 

to the wing bases, being almost non-existent in some individuals. The underside is 

similar in both sexes, but shows some variations. Both wings have two sub-marginal 

rows of cresecent-shaped markings which are prominent on the hind wing. The distal 

band of the forewing consists of big black spots which are ringed in white. The spots 

in the hind wing band are small and dull. These spots are not arranged in a regular arc. 

Both wings have cell end patches and no other marks on the forewing cell. 

It flies very low, not more than two feet above the ground and feeds on the nectar of 

very small herbs. It basks in the morning and becomes very active, but rests during 

the mid-day hours under the shade of hedges, only to come out again in the evening. 

It is abundant in areas with very short weeds in the low country. 

The female is slightly larger than the male, but otherwise both sexes look similar. The 

upper side is black with a broad red band on the outer margin of the hind wing. Very 

rarely this band can be in yellow in colour. The cilia are alternately marked in black 

and white. The patches on its underside are highly variable. Though the number and 

size of black patches on white area of the basal parts vary, both wings always have 

cell end patches. There are white patches in the broad red marginal band on the hind 

wing. This red colour only goes up to vein 6 and the band continues in black up to the 

upper margin. The forewing has two rows of white patches on the black outer margin. 

The cilia of both wings are marked alternately in black and white. 

The Red Pierrot flies quite slowly among herbs. It feeds on the flowers of these 

plants. Usually it is in closed winged position, but occasionally opens them partially 

when basking. Males engage in mud puddling but do not congregate. It is active 

throughout the day until late evening, but never goes into fully open sunny areas. 

Lycaenidae 

LFPs: Flowers and immature leaves of Desmodium heterophyllum (uy W÷msh,sh) and 

D. triflorum (ySka W÷msh,sh). Butterflies are numerous around these plants in flowering 

season since both the larvae and adults feed on them. 

It is abundant in rocky outcrops where its larval food plant grows plentifully. It is also 

attracted to home gardens with these plants. 

LFPs: Internal tissues of leaves of Kalanchoe pinnata (wlalmdk). 



T 

LC 

Indian Cupid Everes lacturnus 

Common Hedge Blue Acytolepis puspa 

T 

LC 

Lycaenidae 

Male 

Dwarf individuals are not uncommon. In males, the upper side on both wings is shiny 

light blue. The black outer margin is thicker than the upper margin on the forewing, 

but sometimes the upper margin has no trace of black. All the margins on the hind 

wing have black bands. In females, the upper side is dark brown with some dispersed 

greyish blue scales. Some individuals entirely lack blue scales. It has two black 

tornal spots capped in orange in the sub-marginal band of greyish blue, ill-defined 

cresecent-shaped marks. The colour of underside varies from pure white to buff white. 

It has two black tornal spots which are heavily capped in orange. Both wings have 

uniform distal bands and cell end patches consisting of narrow brown lines. On the 

hind wing it has two black spots near the upper margin, one on the cell and another 

one near the lower margin which is absent in some individuals. 

It prefers to feed on herbaceous flowers and males engage in mud puddling. Its flight 

is rather weak and it always flies near the ground. 

It is common amongst herbaceous weeds in habitats such as wayside vegetation. 

In males, the upper side is shiny metallic blue with black marginal bands. It has a thin 

black outer margin on the hind wing. Both wings have varied white dustings on the 

centre. The female has broad marginal bands and the blue is restricted to the bases. 

Its basal area brighter, becoming whitish distally. The hind wing has a sub-marginal 

row of cresecent-shaped marks. The underside is similar in both sexes and the patches 

are usually larger than in other Hedge Blues. It has a sub-marginal row of distinct spots 

and an internal band of cresecent-shaped markings on both wings. The forewing 

has an irregular distal band consisting of thick brown lines and a cell end patch. The 

hind wing has many brown and black patches. It always has a small black spot at the 

intersection of 8th vein and cell vein which is located basally to large black spots. 

As the name implies, the Common Hedge Blue flies busily around hedges. It feeds on 

flowers and males engage in mud sipping. It is a migratory species. 

It prefers rather wet habitats such as forests and verdant gardens and it also appears 

in scrublands with sparse trees in the rainy season. 

Male 

Lycaenidae 

LFPs: Desmodium heterocarpon (we;a W÷msh,sh) – most preferable, D. uncinatum, 

D. triflorum (ySka W÷msh,sh). 

LFPs: Hiptage benghalensis (mqjla f.äh je,a), Bridelia retusa (leglE,), Schleichera 

oleosa (fldaka). 



T 

LC 

Malayan Megisba malaya 

Plains Cupid Chilades pandava 

T 

LC 

Lycaenidae 

The male is dark brown with a bluish tint on the upper side. It has white scaling on 

the centre of the fore wing, which is enlarged in its dry season form. The female lacks 

the bluish tint and is larger in size. The underside is similar in both sexes. It has sharp 

cresecent-shaped marks in its sub-marginal bands. The forewing has an irregular 

distal band consisting of greyish brown patches and has much darker patches along 

the upper margin. The distal patches on the hind wing are much lighter and thicker 

than those on the forewing. It has two similar sized black spots at the upper margin, 

another one at the cell, and others near the lower margin of the hind wing. 

Males are regularly seen on wet patches on the ground together with similar looking 

Hedge Blues and Quakers. It usually outnumbers these other species. Females are 

rarely seen other than when they are feeding on nectar or laying eggs. It only exposes 

itself to the morning sun and occasionally engages in basking with slightly opened 

wings and lives in the shade during the day. Its flight is fast in relation to its size. 

In males, the upper side is shiny blue with dark brown margins. Its black tornal spot 

is slightly capped in orange and has a marginal row of white streaks. The female has 

broader margins with lighter blue basal parts. Its tornal spot is distinctly capped and 

has a sub-marginal row of cresecent-shaped markings. The underside has two submarginal 

bands which consist of white lines on the forewing and white lunules on the 

hind wing. The black tornal spot is capped in orange and a similar looking but smaller 

spot is apparent near the anal angle. Its distal bands consist of dark brown lines which 

are outlined in white on either side. Both wings have cell end patches. It has five black 

spots ringed in white on the hind wing. Two of them are situated close to each other 

in the basal area at the centre. The spot at the lower margin is sometimes absent. 

This active butterfly feeds on the flowers of herbs and shrubs. Males engage in mud 

sipping, sometimes in large numbers. Both sexes congregate around LFPs when 

young shoots are available. They bask with partially opened wings. 

Female 

Lycaenidae 

It prefers shady habitats such as forests and lush gardens. The Malayan population 

greatly increases during the monsoonal rains in the dry zone. 

It is common except for in dense forests. It is abundant at Nilgala, where its LFP grows 

commonly. It is also found in home gardens where its LFPs are grown as ornamentals. 

LFPs: Flowers of Mallotus philippensis (yïfmß,a,) and Allophylus cobbe (fldínE). 

LFPs: Cycas revoluta (uvq), Cycas nathorstii (uvq). 



T 

LC 

Lime Blue Chilades lajus 

Plum Judy Abisara echerius 

S 

LC 

Lycaenidae 

Female 


It has no tails. The male is shiny blue up to the margins without any borders and 

patches on the upper side. In the female, the blue areas are only limited to the 

basal parts and is absent in some individuals. The hind wing has a sub-marginal row 

of white rings. The ring at the tornus is enlarged and surrounds a black spot. The 

underside is whitish brown and looks similar in both sexes. It has two sub-marginal 

rows of crescent-shaped markings on both wings. The black tornal spot is not capped 

in orange, as in the similar looking Cupids and has two other small black spots at the 

anal angle. Both wings have distal bands of golden brown patches outlined in white 

on either side. It has circular black spots ringed in white near the upper margin and 

around the base of hind wing. The dry season form has a cloud of dark brown scales 

in the distal area of the hind wing. 

This active butterfly usually flies around herbs and scrubs but occasionally goes much 

higher. It feed on flowers. When it perches or basks on a leaf, it always comes to an 

edge to have a better view of its surroundings. It is a migratory species. 

It inhabits thin vegetation such as scrublands and gardens and avoids dense forests. 

The hind wing is abruptly angled at the middle of the outer margin. The male is rusty 

brown with a brilliant sheen of metallic purple on the upper surface. It has two parallel, 

fairly indistinct lighter bands on the forewing. The inner band continues in the hind 

wing. The hind wing has two separate pairs of black spots at the sub-margin with 

an indistinct row of lunules. Females never have the purple sheen and the pattern is 

similar to that of the males but is more pronounced. The underside looks similar in 

both sexes. It is rusty brown with pronounced markings that resemble those on the 

upper side. Its black spots appear to have a dark blue metallic sheen at a certain angle. 

Their eye colour varies from golden yellow to bluish green. 

Its appearance is unique as it never closes its wings or spreads them flat, and always 

keeps them partially opened. It does a dance like movement on the leaves while 

feeding. It appears to leap when it flies from one leaf to another. It never flies more 

than a few feet away when it is disturbed, but is never easy to approach. 

It prefers the dark undergrowth of rain forests and its distribution extends to the 

intermediate zone with forest cover. Occasionally, it is found in the dry zone. 

Male 

Riodinidae 

LFPs: Limonia acidissima (Èjq,a), Citrus aurantifolia (foys), Atalantia ceylanica (hls kdrx) 

LFPs: Embelia ribes (je,a weô,a,), Embelia tsjeriam-cottam (j,.id,a). 



Common Banded Awl Hasora chromus 

Water Snow Flat Tagiades litigiosa 

S LC S VU 

Hesperiidae 

Its hind wing is angled at the lower portion of the outer margin. It is fairly indistinct 

because the wing has a long fold commencing from that point to the base of the 

wing. The upper side is totally brown in males with a sex brand on the forewing. 

The female has two white patches on interspace 2 and 3 of the forewing which is 

also visible on the underside. Females without these patches are also present. The 

underside is brown with a thin, diffused straight white band on the hind wing. Just 

beyond this band, it has a black patch within the fold which is partially visible to the 

outside. The forewing is slightly washed out in white scales distally. Sometimes it has 

a bluish tint in the basal area. 

Its flight consists of fast skips and jerks, often resting upside down with closed wings 

under leaves. It feeds on the flowers of bushes and woody vines. They gather on 

the flowers of Derris scandens. It is always hurries from one flower to another. Males 

engage in mud sipping. It is active even early in the morning and usually does not 

come out to feed during mid-day except in cloudy weather. It is a migratory species. 

It needs gloomy habitats to rest and open habitats to feed. 

The sexes look alike. It is brownish black on the upper side with a large white area on 

the lower parts of the hind wing. The size of this patch varies individually. The number 

of white spots on the forewing also varies. It has marginal black spots on the white 

area. The black spot at the margin of the white and brown areas is larger than the 

other spots. The brown on the underside is lighter and has more white on the hind 

wing. The pattern is similar to that on the upper side. The abdomen is pure white. Its 

thorax and head are pure white ventrally, and dark brown dorsally. 

It rests on the underside of leaves and keeps its wings spread flat. It comes out to feed 

on flowers in the morning and afternoon and keeps its wings spread flat even when 

feeding. It cannot suck nectar from cup-shaped flowers due to this behaviour but is 

able to exploit suspending flowers. Its jerking flight is fast but not as speedy as the 

Ceylon Snow Flat. It is a migrant. 

It can be found in high abundance in the hills. Its numbers are lower than those of the 

Ceylon Snow Flat at low elevations. It requires a mixture of vegetation types as the 

previous species, The Common Banded Awl. 

Hesperiidae 

LFPs: Millettia pinnata (uÕ=,a lr|), Derris scandens (l, je,a). 

LFPs: Dioscorea koyamae (lsß f.dak,), D. oppositifolia (f.dak,), D. spicata (f.dak,). 



S 

VU 

Sri Lankan Hedge Hopper Baracus vittatus 

Indian Palm Bob Suastus gremius 

S 

LC 

Hesperiidae 

Male 

In males, the upper side of the forewing is light creamy brown on the basal region. 

Sometimes it has up to two creamy brown spots near the upper margin. The hind 

wing is creamy brown with a broad band on the upper margin and a thinner band on 

the outer margin in both sexes. The creamy brown patch on the forewing reduces into 

few spots on the forewing in the female. The background colour on the underside is 

generally rusty brown interspersed with lighter coloured veins. The hidden area of 

the forewing is dark brown and is sometimes marked with few creamy brown spots. 

The hind wing has a creamy brown straight stripe form the base to the outer margin. 

It hops among grasses and its flight is not quick. When it is basking, it spreads its hind 

wing flat and holds its forewing perpendicularly. It also feeds on herbaceous flowers 

among grasses in this position. It is not found among grasses under heavy sun light 

during mid-day. Males engage in mud sipping. 

Common in the grasslands at the highest elevations in locations such as Horton Plains 

and along the rail tracks in the hills, it is also found in ad hoc locations along forest 

paths in the low country wet zone. 

The sexes are alike but have some variations. It is dark brown on the upper side with 

scattered golden brown scales near the forewing base. The Hyaline white spots on 

the forewing are usually large but they can be small or very rarely even absent. It 

has a yellowish patch near the lower margin of the forewing. The hind wing has no 

markings. The dark brown background colour of its underside is not visible due to the 

grey-brown scales. The hyaline spots on its forewing remain even on the underside, 

and the yellow spot represented as a diffused white patch. It is easily distinguished 

from other similar looking Hesperiids by the black spots on its hind wing. The number 

and prominence of these spots vary significantly. 

It has a fast flight that is typical to Hesperiids and is fond of the sun and readily comes 

to flowers in scrubs. It can even feed on flowers with long corolla tubes since its 

proboscis is long. It lowers its head towards the flower until it toches the petals when 

the length of its proboscis is not adequate. When it is disturbed, it vanishes quickly. 

This butterfly is common in all types of vegetation except dense forests. It is quite 

abundant where coconut and other palms grow. 

Hesperiidae 

LFPs: Grasses including Garnotia exaristata. 

LFPs: Palms including Cyrtostachys renda, Cocos nucifera (fmd,a), Phoenix pusilla (b|s) 



T 

LC 

Chestnut Bob Iambrix salsala 

Grass Demon Udaspes folus 

S 

LC 

Hesperiidae 

Male 

Male 

The male is completely chestnut coloured on the upper side without any markings. 

The female is the same colour, but has a distal band of white spots on the forewing. 

The number of spots is variable. Its underside is also chestnut in colour in both sexes, 

except for the hidden area of the forewing which is dark brown. Usually the male 

has one or two very small white spots on both wings. The female has more patches 

and they are bigger than those of the male. Again the number of spots varies. Its 

abdomen, thorax, head and legs also take on the shades of chestnut. 

Though its flight is jerky, it is not fast as bigger Hesperiids. It basks in the morning by 

keeping its hind wing spread flat and its forewing perpendicularly. They are fond of 

feeding on flowers of herbs among grasses. They come out in the morning and the 

evening. During the mid-day hours they fly under dappled sun light. 

It is found in all habitats with short grasses but is reduced in numbers in vast open 

areas. It is common amidst roadside vegetation which has shady trees nearby. 

LFPs: Various grasses including Axonopus compressus (f.dx ;Kfld,), Ochlandra 

stridula (ng) and Oryza sativa (f.dhï). 

The sexes are alike. The upper side is dark brown. It has scattered white patches on 

the forewing which are smaller in the distal parts than in the basal part. The hind wing 

has a large white patch on the centre. The underside is dark reddish brown which is 

somewhat obscured by the pure white scales that cover most of the hind wing. The 

margin of this white scaling continues up to its snout along the thorax and eye in the 

form of a straight line. The forewing is also slightly washed with white scales interior 

to the sub-margin. The white patches are the same as on the upper side. The dorsal 

area of its abdomen, thorax and head are dark brown. 

It has quite a rapid flight, but is distinct due to its pied colouration. When it settles, its 

wings appear to rotate around a hinge at its thorax. It is active at dawn and dusk, and 

in gloomy conditions. It feeds on the nectar of flowers that have long corolla tubes 

such as Tabernaemontana divaricata (j;=iqoao) which are inaccessible to other species. 

While it was considered a very rare butterfly in 1950s, it is now commonly seen around 

home gardens. 

LFPs: Zingiberaceae plants including Kaempferia galanga (ysÕ=re msh,s), Curcuma 

longa (ly), Curcuma zedoaria (wrkaly). 

Clearing the 

proboscis by its 

own leg 

Hesperiidae 



Common Grass Dart Taractrocera maevius 

Dark Palm Dart Telicota bambusae 

T LC S VU 

Hesperiidae 

The sexes are alike. It is dark brown on the upper side with some golden brown scales 

in the basal area of the forewing. The distal band of spots on its forewing discontinues 

at the middle and the spots are located marginally at that point. It also has three spots 

inward to the distal band. On the hind wing there is a continuous distal band of spots 

and a basal spot. The colour of all these spots varies from light yellow to white. The 

cilia of both wings are marked in a light colour. The dorsal area of its black abdomen 

is ringed in white. The colour of its underside varies from dull brown to golden brown. 

The spots on its upper side are enlarged on this end. 

Though the colour pattern and size make it look like an Indian Skipper, the Common 

Grass Dart is readily distinguishable by its fast, zigzagging flight. It flies very low and 

near the ground feeding on herbaceous flowers. It leans and bends to any required 

angle to feed on these flowers. It is a common sight to see them chase each other. It 

is active throughout the day even in during the very hot hours. 

This butterfly is found throughout the low and mid country. It is found in weedy 

places that have both short herbs and grasses. It is common in coconut plantations. 

LFPs: Grasses including Axonopus compressus (f.dx ;Kfld,). 

It is usually smaller than the Yellow Palm Dart. The background of its upper side is 

dark brown in colour. Its orange coloured distal band and the band along the upper 

margin merge near the apex of the forewing. The sex brand is marked in a lighter 

colour in the space in between these bands in males. The orange colour of this distal 

band does not continue along the veins towards the outer margin as in other Palm 

Darts. The hind wing has a broad orange coloured distal band and another patch near 

its base. The cilia are orange in both wings. The underside is yellowish orange and it 

resembles that of other Palm Darts. The orange coloured patches on the upper side 

are slightly obvious here and have some black scales at their margins. 

The fast-flying Dark Palm Dart prefers to fly at scrub level and feeds on nectar and is 

active throughout the day. 

Common in wayside vegetation and other open habitats, it is also found in bamboo 

forests. It extends its range to the mid hills in the southern slope and to the 

intermediate zone. 

LFPs: Bambusa multiplex (a common ornamental plant in home gardens). Its native 

larval food plants are Ochlandra stridula (ng) and Bambusa vulgaris (WK). 

Male 

Hesperiidae 



5. Endemic Butterflies of 

Sri Lanka 

These species are not included in the previous descriptions 

Sri Lankan Cingalese Bushbrown 

Mycalesis rama 

Sri Lankan Jewel Four-ring 

Ypthima singala 

Endemic Species 

Sri Lankan Rose 

Pachliopta jophon 

Sri Lankan One-Spot Grass 

Yellow 

Eurema ormistoni 

Sri Lankan Palmfly 

Elymnias singhala 

Sri Lankan Ormiston’s Oakblue 

Arhopala ormistoni 


Sri Lankan Tiger 

Parantica taprobana 

Sri Lankan Forester 

Lethe dynsate 

Sri Lankan Clouded Silverline 

Spindasis nubilus 

Sri Lankan Green’s Silverline 

Spindasis Greeni 



Sri Lankan Indigo Royal 

Tajuria arida 

Sri Lankan Woodhouse’s Four 

Lineblue 

Nacaduba ollyetti 

Sri Lankan Black Flat 

Celaenorrhinus spilothyrus 

Sri Lankan Decorated Ace 

Thoressa decorata 


Sri Lankan Pale Six Lineblue 

Nacaduba sinhala 

Sri Lankan Cerulean 

Jamides coruscans 

Sri Lankan Paint Brush Swift 

Baoris penicillata 


Sri Lankan Milky Cerulean 

Jamides lacteata 

Sri Lankan Hedge Blue 

Udara lanka 



6. Larval Food Plants of 

Butterflies 

As mentioned in the introduction, butterfly larval food plants play a very crucial role 

in butterfly population and distribution. If the density of butterfly larval food plants 

is high within an ecosystem, it will definitely bear a higher number of butterflies. If a 

larval food plant is restricted to a certain ecosystem, the butterfly dependent upon 

this plant will also be confined to this ecosystem. For example, The Sri Lankan Rose 

(Pachliopta jophon) relies on Thottea siliquosa (;dmir nq,;a) as its sole larval food 

plant. This shrub is found in the undergrowth of low country rainforests as it requires 

a high degree of shade. Consequently, the Sri Lankan Rose is also restricted to this 

ecosystem. The Crimson Tip (Colotis danae) is restricted to the north and northwestern 

parts of Sri Lanka since its sole larval food plant, Cadaba fruiticosa, only grows in arid 

habitats. 

Abrus precatorius T,s| 

L 

Acacia caesia ys.=re je,a 

L/S 


Presently, more than 450 species of butterfly larval food plants belonging to over 60 

families have been identified in Sri Lanka. This number includes both introduced and 

native plants, some of which are endemic to Sri Lanka. Though some of these plants 

are very rare, there are a number of common weeds, food crops and ornamental 

plants which are readily found in our home gardens. Many of the native plants are 

also used for medicinal purposes, and the leaves of some others are commonly 

consumed. Sound knowledge of these plants will enable the reader to help conserve 

the butterflies that rely on them as larval food plants. Readers are also encouraged 

to avoid or minimise the use of pesticides within their home garden and allow some 

weeds to grow so that butterflies can reside in these spaces. 

The following illustrations depict the larval food plants mentioned under the butterfly 

species descriptions. They are listed in alphabetic order by species name, irrespective 

of family. Habits of the plants are given as follows. 

Acacia eburnea l=l=,a lgq 

S 

Acacia pennata f.dv ysÕ=re 

L/S 


G - Grass 

H - Herb 

S - Scrub 

T - Tree 

L - Liana 

E - Epiphyte 

S/T - usually grown as a shrub, but can be grown as a tree 

T/S - usaully grown as a tree, but can be grown as a shrub 

Actinodaphne stenophylla ksl ojq, S/T Aeschynomene americana H 



Albizia lebbeck iQßh udr 

T 

Albizia odoratissima iQßh udr 

T 

Aristolochia bracteolata imai| 

L 

Aristolochia indica imai| 

L 


Allophylus cobbe fldínE 

S/T 

Anacardium occidentale lcq 

T 

Aristolochia ringens ;drd u,a 

L 

Arundinaria debilis 

S 


Annona muricata lgq wfkdaod T Areca catechu mqjla 

T 

Atalantia ceylanica hls kdrx 

S Axonopus compressus f.dx ;Kfld, G 



Azima tetracantha 

S 

Bambusa multiplex 

S 

Calotropis gigantea jrd $ t< jrd 

S 

Capparis grandis 

S/T 


Bambusa vulgaris WK 

T 

Barleria prionitis lgq lr~q 

S 

Capparis moonii reoka;s 

L 

Capparis roxburghii l¨ b,a,ka f.ä L/S 


Bridelia retusa leglE, T Cadaba trifoliata 

S 

Capparis sepiaria 

S Capparis zeylanica L/S 



Cardiospermum halicacabum fmfk, je,a 

L 

Caryota urens ls;=,a 

T 

Centranthera indica ÿgq i;=gq 

H 

Ceropegia candelabrum 

L 


Cassia fistula weye< 

T 

Cassia roxburgii r;= jd 

T 

Chamaecrista kleinii ìx ishU,d 

H 

Chamaecrista mimosoides 

H 


Catunaregam spinosa l=l=reudka$mqmqreuy 

S 

Celtis timorensis .=rekao 

S/T 

Chamaecrista nictitans 

H 

Chloroxylon swietenia nqre; 

T 



Cinnamomum verum l=re÷q 

S/T 

Citrus aurantifolia foys $ ySka foys 

S 

Clausena indica ó f.dx lrmsxpd 

S/T 

Cleome rutidosperma 

H 


Citrus grandis cïfnda, 

T 

Citrus madurensis kia kdrx 

T/S 

Cocos nucifera fmd,a $ ;eô,s 

T 

Crataeva adansonii ¨KqjrK 

T/S 


Citrus reticulata ySka kdrx T/S Citrus x limon f,uka 

S 

Crotalaria pallida wvkysßhd 

H Crotalaria zanzibarica H 



Croton laccifer .ia lemafmÜáhd 

S 

Cryptolepis buchananii j,a rela w;a;k L 

Cycas revoluta uvq 

S 

Cynanchum tunicatum lka l=U, 

L 


Cullen corylifolium 

S/H 

Curcuma longa ly 

H 

Cyrtococcum trigonum ;Kfld, 

G 

Cyrtostachys renda 

S/T 


Curcuma zedoaria wrkaly H Cycas nathorstii uvq 

S/T 

Dalbergia pseudo-sissoo nUr je,a L Davidsea attenuata ng S 



Dendrocalamus giganteus fld< WK 

T 

Dendrophthoe falcata ms

Dioscorea oppositifolia f.dak, $ ysß;, $ 

ls;, 

L 

Dioscorea spicata f.dak, 

L 

Drypetes gardneri weg ùr$.,a ùr 

T 

Drypetes sepiaria ùr 

T 


Diospyros melanoxylon îä fld< .ia$ 

l=vqïfíßh 

T 

Dipteracanthus prostratus ks,a mqrela 

H 

Eleusine indica ;Kfld, 

G 

Embelia ribes je,a weô,a, 

L 


Dovyalis hebecarpa legô,a, S/T Dragia volubilis w.=K 

L 

Embelia tsjeriam-cottam j,.id,a S Entada rheedii mqiaje,a L 



Ficus religiosa fnda 

T 

Flacourtia indica W.=/iai 

S 

Glycosmis pentaphylla fodvïmdk 

S 

Gomphia serrata fnda lEr 

S/T 


Flacourtia jangomas rg W.=/iai 

T/S 

Flemingia macrophylla j,a W÷ 

S 

Gouania microcarpa 

L 

Hemidesmus indicus bruqiq 

L 


Garnotia exaristata G Gliricidia sepium jeg udr$kkaÑ S/T 

Heterostemma tanjorense 

L Hiptage benghalensis mqjla f.äh je,a 

L/S 



Homalium ceylanicum weg fyr,sh$,shka 

T 

Hybanthus enneaspermus 

H 

Indigofera tinctoria ks,a wjß 

S 

Ipomoea indica 

L 


Hydnocarpus venenata ul=,a 

T 

Hygrophila schulli kSruq,a,sh 

S 

Ixora coccinea r;a u,a$r;U,d 

S 

Justicia procumbens 

H 


Indigofera linnaei ìx wjß H Indigofera oblongifolia 

S 

Kaempferia galanga ysÕ=re msh,s H Kalanchoe pinnata wlalmdk H/S 



Lepisanthes tetraphylla 

T 

Limonia acidissima Èjq,a 

T 

Litsea longifolia r;a lE,sh 

T 

Maerua arenaria 

L/S 


Lindernia crustacea 

H 

Lindernia pusilla 

H 

Malaxis versicolor 

H 

Mallotus philippensis yïfmß,a, 

S/T 


Lindernia rotundifolia H Litsea glutinosa fnda ó 

T/S 

Mangifera indica wU 

T Miliusa indica lels,s ueiai S 



Millettia pinnata uÕ=,a lr| 

T 

Mitragyna parvifolia ye

Pentatropis capensis 

L 

Pergularia daemia 

L 

Plumbago zeylanica t< fkgq,a 

H/S 

Polyalthia cerasoides mÜg W,a flkao 

T/S 


Phaseolus vulgaris fndaxÑ 

L 

Phoenix pusilla b|s 

S 

Polyalthia korinti W,a flkao $ ójekak S 

Psidium guajava fmar 

S/T 


Pithecellobium dulce ueks,d ishU,d T Pleiospermium alatum ;=ka m;a l=re÷ S 

Rhynchosia minima uy j,a fld,a¨ L ß,dj,a G 



Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum llal=gq 

m,d $ jg/iai 

H 

Salvadora persica u,s;a;ka 

T/S 

Senna alata we;af;dar 

S 

Senna auriculata rKjrd 

S 


Samanea saman mdfr udr 

T 

Schleichera oleosa fldaka 

T 

Senna surattensis 

S 

Senna tora fm;s f;dar 

H 


Scolopia acuminata lgq flkao $ lgq 

l=re÷ 

S/T 

Scurrula cordifolia ms

Smilax aspera 

L 

Smilax perfoliata uy ln/iai 

L 

Strobilanthes lupulina fk¿ 

S 

Symplocos cochinchinensis fndaUq 

S/T 


Smilax zeylanica ln/iai 

L 

Spathoglottis plicata 

S 

Synedrella nodiflora 

H 

Taxillus tomentosus ms

Tephrosia villosa nQ ms, 

H/S 

Terminalia catappa fldÜgïnd 

T 

Tylophora pauciflora lsß w.=K 

L 

Ulex europaeus 

S 


Thottea siliquosa ;dmir nq,;a 

S 

Toddalia asiatica l=vqñßiai 

S/L 

Urena lobata mÜg wem, 

S 

Uvaria macropoda 

L 


Trema orientalis .evqU T Tylophora indica 

L 

Vanda tessellata 

E Ventilago madraspatana hlv je,a L 



Vigna unguiculata uE 

L 

Viola betonicifolia 

H 

Zanthoxylum tetraspermum 

L 

Ziziphus mauritiana fonr$uika 

S 


Viola pilosa 

H 

Wendlandia bicuspidata jk bo, $ rdjK 

bo, 

T 

Ziziphus oenoplia ySka trñKshd 

S 

Ziziphus rugosa uy trñKshd 

S 


Xylopia championii o;a leáh T Zanonia indica j,a rils| L 



References 

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Dassanayake, M. D. (Ed.) 1980 – 2000. A revised handbook to the flora of Ceylon, Vol. 1 - 14, 

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Dias, R.K. S. 2002. Ants of Sri Lanka. Vishva Lekah Publishers, Ratmalana. 

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Lanka. Author 

Kawahara A.Y. 2013. Systematic revision and review of the extant and fossil snout butterflies 

(Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Libytheinae), Zootaxa 3631 (1): 01 - 74 

Kunte, K. 2000. Butterflies of Peninsular India, Universities Press (India) Ltd., Hyderabad. 

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Ormiston, W. 1924. The Butterflies of Ceylon. H. W. Cave & Co., Colombo. 

Robinson, G.S., P.R. Ackery, I.J. Kitchi ng, G.W. Beccaloni & L.M. Hernández. 2010. HOSTS - A 

database of the world’s Lepidopteran hostplants. Natural History Museum, London. http:// 

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van der Poorten, G. & van der Poorten N., 2011a. New and revised descriptions of the 

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van der Poorten, G. & van der Poorten N., 2012b. New and revised descriptions of the 


Nymphalidae). Part 2: Subfamily Satyrinae. Tropical Lepidoptera 22 (2): 80 - 92 

van der Poorten, G. & van der Poorten, N. 2012c. The biology of Spindasis greeni Heron, 

1896 and a review of the genus Spindasis in Sri Lanka (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Journal of 

Research in Lepidoptera. 45: 119 - 133 

van der Poorten, G. and van der Poorten, N. 2012d. Cephrenes trichopepla (Lower, 1908): A 

new record for Sri Lanka with notes on its biology, life history and distribution (Lepidoptera: 

Hesperiidae). Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 156: 95–101. 

van der Poorten, G. & van der Poorten, N., 2013a. New and revised descriptions of the 


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Index 

Scientific Names 

Abisara echerius 125 

Acraea violae 85 

Acytolepis puspa 121 

Anthene lycaenina 106 

Appias galene 50 

Argynnis hyperbius 69 

Baracus vittatus 128 

Belenois aurota 48 

Caleta decidia 116 

Castalius rosimon 115 

Catochrysops strabo 112 

Catopsilia pomona 52 

Cepora nerissa 49 

Charaxes psaphon 84 

Chilades lajus 124 

Chilades pandava 123 

Cirrochroa thais 68 

Colotis amata 53 

Colotis etrida 54 

Cupha erymanthis 66 

Danaus chrysippus 62 

Danaus genutia 63 

Delias eucharis 47 

Deudorix epijarbas 105 

Elymnias hypermnestra 94 

Euploea core asela 64 

Euploea klugii 65 

Eurema blanda 57 

Eurema brigitta 55 

Eurema hecabe 56 

Euthalia aconthea 81 

Everes lacturnus 120 

Freyeria putli 117 

Graphium agamemnon 45 

Graphium doson 44 

Graphium sarpedon 43 

Hasora chromus 126 

Hypolimnas bolina 75 

Hypolycaena nilgirica 102 

Iambrix salsala 130 

Idea iasonia 58 

Ideopsis similis 59 

Ixias marianne 51 

Jamides bochus 110 

Jamides celeno 111 

Junonia atlites 73 

Junonia iphita 74 

Junonia lemonias 71 

Junonia orithya 72 

Kallima philarchus 76 

Kaniska canace 70 

Lampides boeticus 113 

Leptosia nina 46 

Leptotes plinius 114 

Lethe daretis 88 

Lethe drypetis 87 

Loxura atymnus 97 

Megisba malaya 122 

Melanitis leda 86 

Moduza procris 78 

Mycalesis patnia 92 

Mycalesis perseus 91 

Mycalesis subdita 90 

Nacaduba hermus 107 

Neptis hylas 77 

Orsotriaena medus 89 

Pachliopta aristolochiae 36 

Pachliopta hector 35 

Papilio clytia 42 

Papilio crino 37 

Papilio demoleus 38 

Papilio helenus 39 

Papilio polymnestor 41 

Papilio polytes 40 

Parantica aglea 61 

Parthenos sylvia 79 

Phalanta phalantha 67 

Polyura athamas 83 

Prosotas dubiosa 109 

Prosotas nora 108 

Rapala varuna 104 

Rathinda amor 98 

Rohana parisatis 82 

Spalgis epeus 95 

Spindasis ictis 100 

Spindasis vulcanus 99 

Suastus gremius 129 

Symphaedra nais 80 

Tagiades litigiosa 127 

Tajuria cippus 101 

Common Names 

Admiral 

Blue 70 

Albatross 

Sri Lankan Lesser 50 

Apefly 95 

Awl 

Common Banded 126 

Birdwing 

Sri Lankan 34 

Banded Peacock 37 

Baron 81 

Baronet 80 

Black Prince 82 

Blue Bottle 43 

Bush Brown 

Common 91 

Gladeye 92 

Tamil 90 

Cerulean 


Dark 110 

Chestnut bob 130 

Chocolate Soldier 74 

Ciliated Blue 

Pointed 106 

Clipper 79 

Commander 78 

Cornelian 105 

Crow 

Brown King 65 


Talicada nyseus 119 

Taractrocera maevius 132 

Telicota bambusae 133 

Tirumala limniace 60 

Troides darsius 34 

Udaspes folus 131 

Virachola perse 103 

Ypthima ceylonica 93 

Zesius chrysomallus 96 

Zizina otis 118 

Cupid 

Indian 120 

Plains 123 

Eggfly 

Great 75 

Emigrant 

Lemon 52 

Evening Brown 


Flash 

Indigo 104 

Forget-me-not 112 

Four Ring 

White 93 

Fritillary 

Indian 69 

Grass Blue 

Lesser 118 

Grass Dart 


Grass Demon 131 

Grass Jewel 117 

Grass Yellow 


Small 55 

Three Spot 57 

Guava Blue 

Large 103 

Gull 




Hedge Blue 


Hedge Hopper 


Jay 


Tailed 45 

Jezebel 47 

Leopard 67 

Lime Blue 124 

Lime Butterfly 38 

Line Blue 


Pale Four 107 

Tailless 109 

Malayan 122 

Medus Brown 89 

Mime 42 

Monkey Puzzle 98 

Mormon 

Blue 41 


Nawab 83 

Nilgiri Tit 102 

Oak Leaf 

Sri Lankan Blue 76 

Orange Tip 

Little 54 

White 51 

Palmbob 

Indian 129 

Palm Dart 

Dark 133 

Palmfly 


Pansy 

Blue 72 

Grey 73 

Lemon 71 

Pea Blue 113 

Pierrot 

Angled 116 


Red 119 

Pioneer 48 

Plum Judy 125 

Psyche 46 

Rajah 

Tawny 84 

Red Helen 39 

Red Spot 96 

Rose 

Crimson 35 


Royal 

Peacock 101 

Rustic 66 

Sailor 


Salmon Arab 

Small 53 

Silverline 


Common Shot 100 

Snow Flat 

Water 127 

Tiger 

Blue 60 

Blue Glassy 59 


Glassy 61 

Plain 62 

Tree Brown 


Tamil 87 

Tree Nymph 


Tawny coster 85 

Yamfly 97 

Yeoman 

Tamil 68 

Zebra Blue 114

Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

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