Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

S
NT
Little Orange Tip Colotis etrida
Small Grass Yellow Eurema brigitta
S
NT
Pieridae
The sexes are alike. The distinct markings on this white butterfly include a bright
orange apical patch which is broadly outlined in black found on the upper surface of
the forewing. It also has a minute black spot on the fore wing cell and grey dustings
on the basal parts. The outer margin of the hind wing is marked in black. Its underside
is variably dusted in grey scales. It always has a minute black spot on each cell. The
spot on the hind wing cell is incorporated with a diffused reddish patch.
The Little Orange Tip has a moderately fast flight, which peaks during the hotter hours
of the day. It always prefers to fly near the ground searching for nectar. It has a habit
of perching on sandy ground among plants with partially opened wings, although it
must be noted that this is not for mud puddling. When threatened, it closes its wings
in a way that helps it camouflage itself against lightly coloured surroundings.
This butterfly is commonly found in dry zone scrublands, especially towards coastal
areas.
The sexes are alike. The shape of the outer margin of its hind wing is truncated, being
more prominent in dry season individuals. It has a broad, regular black outer margin
on the upper surface of its forewing. The outer margin of its hind wing is also broad,
but not as broad as that on the forewing. Its underside is dusted with scattered black
scales and is sporadically interspersed with a few small black spots. The dustings on
the hind wing sometimes form distal bands. Its cell end spots are never large enough
to form a hollow centre. It does not have any markings on the base of its forewing cell.
The Small Grass Yellow prefers to fly quite slowly near the ground. It frequently settles
among grass blades and is disturbed by even a slight movement of the grasses. It
does not open its wings when settling and rarely settles on mud patches.
This butterfly prefers open vegetation. It is frequent in the highland grasslands and
the much lower savannah grasslands where its larval food plants grow abundantly. It
has also been recorded ad hoc in the low country dry zone.
Laying Eggs
Pieridae
LFPs: Maerua arenaria
LFPs: All Chamaecrista species (ìx ishU,d) in the country including C. nictitans, C.
kleinii and C. mimosoides
54 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 55