Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

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.
116 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 117