Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

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)
50 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 51