Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

S
LC
Pioneer Belenois aurota
Common Gull Cepora nerissa
S
LC
Pieridae
Wet season form
Female
The sexes are similar, except for the black band along the upper vein of the forewing
cell on the upper wing surface, which is extensively marked in females. The outer
margin of both wings is broadly marked in black, with dispersed white patches only
in the male. The basal area has a creamy hue in its wet season form, but otherwise, it is
white. The colour of the patches on the underside of its hind wing ranges from deep
orange in its wet season form to pale yellow in its dry season form. The colour of the
underside of the forewing also takes a creamy hue in its wet season form.
The fast-flying Pioneer prefers to fly in the hot hours of the day and is one of the
species that can be seen even in extremely dry months. At the peak of its season,
this butterfly can be seen very commonly and takes part in migration in considerable
numbers. Males are seen mud puddling together with other Pierids during this flight.
Females lay eggs in batches on leaves.
The breeding populations of this butterfly entirely depend on dry zone scrublands,
but can be seen in the wet zone during their migratory flight.
The sexes are alike, except for the female being heavily marked in black on the upper
side. On the other hand, these markings are heavier in their wet season form, in
comparison to their dry season form. Its undersides are marked with yellow patches
on both wings and dark scales along the veins. These yellow patches become much
lighter in the extreme dry season form. A dark coloured indistinct distal band is also
present on its hind wing.
The Common Gull is a fast flier that prefers the hot hours of the day. It opens its wings
only to the first sun rays in the morning, becoming very active after that. It settles on
the flowers of scrubs, but descends to lower levels if food is available. It doesn’t waste
much time on a single flower and always hurries to another. Males frequently visit
mud patches and sand beds in great numbers, especially during their migratory flight.
It is very common in dry scrublands during the season, where its LFPs grow profusely. It
is dispersed throughout the country even at the highest elevations during migration,
but never breeds there.
Pieridae
LFPs: Cadaba trifoliata, Maerua arenaria, Capparis grandis and some other Capparaceae
plants.
LFPs: Plants of Capparaceae family including Capparis moonii (reoka;s), Crataeva
adansonii (¨KqjrK), Capparis roxburghii (l¨ b,a,ka f.ä)
48 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 49