Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

M
LC
Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus
Common Tiger Danaus genutia
M
LC
Nymphalidae
Male
Female
The sexes are similar in both colour and pattern. The apex of the forewing is black
with varied white patches on the upper surface, where some of them form a subapical
band. The outer margins of both wings are black with minute white patches.
The distal end of the hind wing cell and its upper margin has three black patches on
both sides. The basal parts of the forewing are reddish-orange on the underside, while
the other areas are orange in colour. The black sub-apical band and outer margins
have white patches. The male has a sex brand below the second vein of its hind wing
which is marked in black on the upper surface, and in black with a white centre on
the underside. Two rare forms of this species have been observed; one lacks the subapical
band and the other has a large white area on its hind wing.
Its habits are similar to those of the Common Tiger. However, it is not a migrant species.
This species is common throughout the country and its numbers are very high in the
northern dry zone. It prefers sunny scrubland habitats, and is never found in gloomy
forests.
The sexes are similar in colour and pattern. This dark orange-coloured butterfly has
distinct black lines along the veins on both surfaces of both wings. The apex of the
forewing is black in colour up to the cell, and extends along the upper and outer
margin, on the upper surface. Elongated white patches form a sub-apical band and
further small white spots are present towards the margins. The outer margin of the
hind wing bares a black band with two rows of white spots. The colour pattern of its
underside is more or less the same, being paler on the apex of the forewing and the
hind wing. The male has an additional patch below the second vein on both sides of
the hind wing revealing the sex brand.
The Common Tiger has a moderately fast but careless flight. It prefers to fly at scrub
level and also descends to flowers of herbs. Males congregate at plants that provide
toxins. This is a migratory species.
This butterfly is common in the lowlands of Sri Lanka, both in the wet and dry zones,
but are never as numerous as Plain Tigers. It is rarely seen in the hills.
Male
Male
Nymphalidae
LFPs: Apocynaceae plants including Calotropis gigantea (jrd), Cynanchum tunicatum
(lka l=U,), Pergularia daemia
LFPs: Apocynaceae plants including Cynanchum tunicatum (lka l=U,), Oxystelma
esculentum and Pentatropis capensis
62 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 63