Common Butterflies of Sri 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
Larval food plants
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
Larval food plants
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
138 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 139