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