Butterflies ‹‹ Go Back

This is one of the thirty-seven species of Nymphalid butterflies found in the country. It is commonly found throughout the country up to about 1000 meters. Occasionally it can be seen flying up to about 1500 meters in the hills. Other than in Sri Lanka it is found in India, Myanmar and the Andaman Islands.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (National Red List 2012).

This is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

The female of this species is known to lay her eggs on a number of species including Bambara Wel Dalbergia pseudo-sissoo, Bo Kera Gomphia serrate Pelath Bhesa ceylanica and on Welang Pterospermum suberifolium. A single egg is laid at the tip of the leaf and the larva (caterpillar) that resembles a dried up leaf tip is well camouflaged.

The highest altitude at which I have seen this species is close to Meemure in the Knuckles range at 1301meters. It is common in all the dry zone and wet zone forests except for the higher hills. I have seen it on a few occasions in my home garden in Colombo as well as at the Vihara Maha Devi Park.

At Wilpattu this species is commonly seen while driving along the forested roads. I have often observed them during the flowering season of the Madan Syzygium cumini as they appear to relish feeding on these flowers as depicted in the photos.