Butterflies ‹‹ Go Back

This endemic butterfly is more common in the eastern and northern parts of the island down to Yala National Park. In the drier hills it can be met with up to about 1400 meters from sea level. The Dark Blue Tiger belong to the Danidae group of butterflies within the Nymphalidae family. They are confined to the Indian Subcontinent and countries in Southeast Asia.

The conservation of this species is regarded as “Near Threatened” (National Red List 2012).

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

This is one of the 12 species of Danidae butterflies recorded from the island. This beautiful butterfly which is often seen in the company of other “blue tigers” is also left alone by predators due to its body juices being toxic. Its habits are like the other blue tigers. I have seen them at Nawadankulama, Ritigala Yala, Knuckles Forest Reserve and at Nilgala. The host plants of this species are two speceis of slender vines Heterostemma tanjorense and the more commonly known Sneeze Wort. Green Milkweed Climber (Aguna/ Thiththa Aguna) Dregea volubilis.

This species can be seen throughout Wilpattu from about November up to about April.