Butterflies ‹‹ Go Back

This is one of the largest members of the Pieridae family and is native to Southeast Asia and Australasia (New Zealand, Australia & New Guinea). Seventeen subspecies have been recognized and the population in Sri Lanka is classified as Hebomoia glaucippe ceylonica.

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 females of this fast flying butterfly lay their eggs on a few Cappparaceae plants including Rudanthi Capparis Moonii and on Lunu Warana Crataeva adansonii.  In the wet zone I have seen this butterfly at many locations including Morapitiya Runakanda Forest Reserve and the Knuckles Forest Reserve. It is more commonly found in the intermediate and the dry zone. I have seen at many locations in the dry zone including Anawilundaw, Nawadankulama, Wasgomuwa, Yala, Udawalawa, Minneriya and Kaudulla National Park. The highest altitude at which I have observed this species has been at Meemure Village in the Knuckles Forest Reserve at 1310 meters. I have not seen it in the Mannar Island or in the Jaffna Peninsula.

It is a common species in Wilpattu and I see it during most of my visits flying around at open areas as well as feeding on minerals on wet sand.