The Common Birdwing
Endemic Butterflies in Sri Lanka |
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| Scientific Name : | Troides helena
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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 |
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| Scientific Name : | Mycalesis mineus |
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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 |
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| Scientific Name : | Parthenos sylvia
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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 |
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| Scientific Name : | Papilio polytes |
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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 |
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| Scientific Name : | Euthalia evelina |
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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.
The Great Eggfly
Butterflies in Sri Lanka |
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| Scientific Name : | Hypolimnas misipus |
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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 |
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| Scientific Name : | Danaus aglea |
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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
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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 |
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| Scientific Name : | Papilio helenus |
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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 |
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| Scientific Name : | Euploea core |
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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.
The Tailed Jay
Butterflies in Sri Lanka |
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| Scientific Name : | Graphium agamemnon |
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Common. Found in woodland areas throughout the island, preferring the south. Takes part in migrations. A restless flight; males fond of flowers, especially Lantana, Sexes similar, but female has a longer tail.
The Common Jezebel
Butterflies in Sri Lanka |
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| Scientific Name : | Delias eucharis |
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common. Found throughout the island, wherever there are trees; rare above mid hills. Flight weak, female tends to fly high; male often visits flowers, and during the dry weather settles on damp earth. Sexes similar, but female is more heavily marked.
The Lime Butterfly
Butterflies in Sri Lanka |
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| Scientific Name : | Papilio demoleus |
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Very Common. Found in the lowlands and foothills, rare at higher altitudes, in open areas and where citrus trees grow. Takes part in migrations. Flight fast and straight , occasionally gathering at puddles to drink. Sexes similar.
Source: 1 "A Selection of the Butterflies of Sri Lanka" -
John & Judy Banks
2 Young Biologists' Association Butterfly Group.
