Butterfly's in Sri lanka

The Great Eggfly
Butterflies in Sri Lanka
Family :
Scientific Name : Hypolimnas misipus


Common. Found throughout the island preferring forested areas. Takes part in migrations. The male flies faster than the female, sometimes settling in the sunshine while opening and closing his wings. Sexes differ.



The Glassy Tiger
Butterflies in Sri Lanka
Family :
Scientific Name : Danaus aglea


Common. Found at all elevations in the southern half of the island; rare in the north. Takes part in migrations. Sometimes seen resting in small numbers in the shade of the forest during the heat of the day. Flight slow and lazy. Sexes similar. Female mimicked by the Dark Wanderer. Both sexes mimicked by the Common Mime.



Ceylon Hedge Blue
Endemic Butterflies in Sri Lanka
Family : Lycaenidae
Scientific Name : Udara lanka


Uncommon. Confined to Sri Lanka only. Found near trees in the mid high hills. Flight weak and fairly low, and when settled the wings are closed. Male often settles on damp earth. Sexes similar, but female paler above with dark borders.




The Red Helen
Endemic Butterflies in Sri Lanka
Family :
Scientific Name : Papilio helenus


Uncommon. Found in the wet zone forests of the hills, Flight fast and strong. Sometimes flying above streams. Male occasionally settles on damp earth. When resting with wings open, the forewing is drawn back over the light patch of the hindwing. Sexes similar.






The Common Indian Crow
Butterflies in Sri Lanka
Family :
Scientific Name : Euploea core


Very Common. Found throughout the island in all types of country. Takes part in migrations. Flight slow and lazy, fond of settling on damp earth. Sexes similar but female has no white bar on upper forewing; she is mimicked by the female Great Eggfly, both sexes of the Common Palmfly and the Common Mime.

Butterfly's in Sri lanka (Part 2)

The Common Birdwing
Endemic Butterflies in Sri Lanka

Scientific Name : Troides helena




Uncommon. Found throughout the island; rare in north and high hills. Takes part in migrations. Frequents jungles and the open country. Occasionally a pair seen flying in tandem, rising and falling in unison. Usually flies high, and frequently visits flowers. Sexes differ slightly, the female being generally larger with more markings on the hindwing.




The Common Bushbrown
Butterflies in Sri Lanka
Family :
Scientific Name : Mycalesis mineus



Very Common. Found in the hills, scarce in the north, prefering wet zone jungles. Flight weak, settling frequently. Sexes similar



The Clipper
Endemic Butterflies in Sri Lanka
Family :
Scientific Name : Parthenos sylvia




Uncommon. Found in the west zone jungles of the lowlands and higher hills. Flight strong, with much gliding, and usually keeping high in the trees. Sexes similar.



The Common Mormon
Butterflies in Sri Lanka
Family :
Scientific Name : Papilio polytes



Very Common. Found throughout the island in open woodlands and gardens; rare in the high hills. Takes part in migrations. Flight fast and close to the ground; male settles on damp earth. When mimicking, the female copies the leisurely flight of the host. The female has 3 main forms : one mimics the male, another mimics the Common Rose and the third which is considered the typical form, resembles the Crimson Rose.



The Redspot Duke
Butterflies in Sri Lanka
Family :
Scientific Name : Euthalia evelina


Uncommon. Found in the dry zone lowlands to foothills, most frequently from January to March. Inhabits jungles, often visits damp earth. Flight fast and strong, settling frequently. Sexes similar, but female larger and paler.

Butterfly's in Sri lanka (part 3)

To the naturalist, Sri Lanka offers a tantalizing array of interesting and unique forms of the 242 known species, most are found in the regions of the lower foothills (i.e. up to 910 meters). A few (6 species) can be glimpsed above 1210 meters.

A most spectacular scene is the seasonal migration of butterflies during March and April, when tradition has it that they fly towards 'Samanala Kanda' (Butterfly Peak), the local name for the mountain more famous as 'Sri Pada' or 'Adam's Peak'.