Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

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
68 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 69