Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

M
LC
Lemon Emigrant Catopsilia pomona
Small Salmon Arab Colotis amata
S
LC
Pieridae
Female
Male
Though the species is divided into two forms by the colour of its antennae, it is a
highly variable butterfly even within each form. One form has pink coloured antennae
and wings that are bright yellow on both sides. The females of this form may have
brown blotches and silver spots on their undersides and always have black borders
on the upper side. The other form has dark coloured antenna, and generally has light
greenish-yellow wings, with some dark yellow scales towards the base of the forewing
on the upper side. In females, the margins on the upper side are irregularly bordered
in black.
The Lemon Emigrant has a rapid, bouncy, irregular flight. It flies, even above tree tops,
in great numbers during their migratory flight. They gather at mud patches and river
beds regularly and even feed on fecal matter such as elephant dung during migration.
Both forms can be seen together commonly, irrespective of a specific season.
This butterfly is commonly found in the lowlands, especially in the dry zone. It appears
in hilly areas during migration.
This salmon pink butterfly has broad black borders on the outer and upper margins of
the upper side of its forewing. A black oval-shaped patch at the end of the forewing
cell that distinctly touches the upper border can be observed. There are some grey
dustings towards the basal parts. Occasionally, there are whitish females, especially in
the dry months. Its undersides are yellow with irregular grey dustings. Usually females
are heavily marked on the underside.
The slow-flying Small Salmon Arab always flies near the ground. Even though their
larval food plant tends to grow up, they use stunted trees, saplings or shoots that
come out from base of trees to lay eggs in batches. These butterflies congregate
for roosting and choose dried up herbaceous areas to settle, allowing them to
camouflage themselves.
This butterfly is frequently found in scrublands in the low drylands and is abundant
closer to sea in the arid areas in the north and south.
Female
Pieridae
LFPs: Many Fabaceae plants including Cassia fistula (weye