Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

Lime Butterfly Papilio demoleus
Red Helen Papilio helenus
M LC L VU
Papilionidae
The sexes are similar, with an elongated forewing and rounded hind wing found in
both sexes. The yellow patches become duller in older butterflies. The size of the
red patch on its hind wing at the anal angle varies, sometimes leaving a black area
between the red patch and blue line. The blue line near the upper margin of the hind
wing is usually concealed. This line is distinct on the underside, with a light orangecoloured
centre. There are similar patches on the central part of the hind wing.
The Lime Butterfly resembles a Pierid due to its very fast flight around noon, and
its colouration. This scrubland-dwelling butterfly loves the sun very much and it
immediately descends down in to a thicket when the sun is covered by a cloud. Male
Lime Butterflies can be seen mud puddling. This is a migratory species.
The sexes are almost similar but a variation of the pattern on its underside is prevalent
in females. Occasionally there is a small white patch on the upper side towards the
apex on its forewing. The cilia of its hind wing are marked in white, with a red mark at
the anal angle. The large white patch on its hind wing is concealed on the upper side,
when the butterfly is resting, but is prominent when it is in flight. Additional white
dustings on its forewing and a sub-marginal row of crescent-shaped red patches on
its hind wing can be seen on its underside.
The Red Helen flies along forest paths in a deep, irregular wing beat. It goes much
higher for nectar. It is common to see these butterflies puddling in numbers on wet
patches consisting of leaf litter adjacent to streams at mid elevations.
Papilionidae
This species is most abundant in dry scrubland habitats, but can also be commonly
seen in the wet zone. Although it does not seem to have breeding populations at
higher elevations, these have been observed during their migratory flight.
LFPs: It uses many Rutaceae plants. Some of them are Chloroxylon swietenia (nqre;),
Citrus x limon (f,uka), Limonia acidissima (Èjq,a). It mostly uses Cullen corylifolium
(Fabaceae species) in the Jaffna peninsula.
This is a damp forested species commonly found in the wet zone, especially at mid
elevations, becoming scarcer towards lower elevations. It is found in considerable
numbers in their natural habitats, but there are only few such pristine habitats
remaining in the country.
LFPs: Zanthoxylum tetraspermum, Toddalia asiatica (l=vqñßiai), Citrus madurensis (kia
kdrx)
38 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 39