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