Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

T
LC
Common Line Blue Prosotas nora
Tailless Line Blue Prosotas dubiosa
T
LC
Lycaenidae
Male
The dull background is exposed through the numerous shiny dark blue scales which
are dispersed throughout the upper surface of the wings in males. These blue scales
are restricted to the base of the forewing and are also occasionally seen on the hind
wing in females. The underside is similar in both sexes, with a high degree of variation
in colour. Both wings have six rows of white streaks. The lunules are indistinctly marked
near the outer margins of both wings in comparison to the distinct white marks seen
in the six Lineblues. The black tornal spot is capped in orange and has some shiny,
light blue scales. At one extreme, the background colour is a dull greyish brown, while
it is brownish yellow at the other end. Intermediate forms are also present and some
appear to be greyish brown, having brownish yellow only in between the white lines.
It has no tails and its wings are more rounded. The upper side of the male is a slightly
different shade of blue in comparison to the Common Line Blue. In females, the blue
is confined to the base of the forewing. While the underside of both sexes are similar,
there is some varition in colour and more in pattern. Both wings have six bands of
irregular white lines, especially in the outer pair of bands of the forewing. The pair
of basal bands of the forewing extends below the cell. The bands on the hind wing
are not distinctly separated. Usually, the cresecent-shaped markings are more distinct
than in the Common Line Blue, but never as in the Six Line Blues. The black tornal
spot is outlined in orange at length, sometimes to the point of a complete ring. The
anal angle could have two minute black spots surrounded by orange and blue scales.
Lycaenidae
This species usually lives in groups. It flies at shrub level but climbs up to tall LFPs.
Males frequently visit wet patches on the ground in numbers.
Its habits are almost similar to those of the Common Line Blue and both species tend
to occur together.
This butterfly resides in a range of habitat types from wastelands to forests throughout
the country. It is locally abundant around larval food plants.
Its habitats are also similar to that of the Common Line Blue, except that they are less
likely to be found in wastelands. This butterfly is distributed throughout the country.
LFPs: Flowers of many plants including Murraya koenigii (lrmsxpd), Acacia pennata
(f.dv ysÕ=re) and Terminalia catappa (fldÜgïnd).
LFPs: Flowers of Albizia odoratissima (iQßh udr), Pithecellobium dulce (ueks,d ishU,d)
and Samanea saman (mdfr udr).
108 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 109