Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
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S<br />
NT<br />
Blue Pansy Junonia orithya<br />
Grey Pansy Junonia atlites<br />
S<br />
NT<br />
Nymphalidae<br />
Male<br />
The size, colour and pattern are highly variable. The base <strong>of</strong> both wings on the upper<br />
side is jet black. The female has two short red lines and a blue line inside this black<br />
patch on the forewing. The apical area <strong>of</strong> the forewing is patterned in brown and<br />
light cream, changing into a brilliant dark blue towards the lower margin. Most <strong>of</strong> the<br />
hind wing area is brilliant blue with two sub-marginal rows <strong>of</strong> streaks, but sometimes<br />
this area is grey colour in females. Both wings have two ‘eye spots’ which vary in size.<br />
The upper ‘eye spot’ on the hind wing is the largest and it is usually concealed by the<br />
forewing. It is black in males and red in females. The underside consists <strong>of</strong> shades <strong>of</strong><br />
pale brown and it is lighter than in all other Pansies.<br />
The Blue Pansy flies quite fast and its habits are similar to that <strong>of</strong> the Lemon Pansy,<br />
except that it is not a migrant.<br />
This butterfly can be found in grasslands and scrublands all over the country and at<br />
a number peaks in the lower hill country. In the dry zone, it is never as numerous as<br />
the Lemon Pansy and is mostly found in muddy, waterlogged areas where its larval<br />
food plants grow.<br />
LFPs: Centranthera indica (ÿgq i;=gq), Lindernia pusilla, Justicia procumbens<br />
This species varies in size, colour and pattern irrespective <strong>of</strong> sex. The forewing is more<br />
falcate in dry season individuals. Its upper side is grey with a slightly reddish hue. The<br />
distal row <strong>of</strong> spots on both wings contains a few distinct ‘eye spots’; usually two on<br />
each wing. They are partially red and black, and outlined in a white circle. One such<br />
spot on the hind wing is usually hidden by the forewing. The forewing has four wavy<br />
brown bands on the cell and another long band beyond the cell. Both wings have two<br />
sub-marginal rows <strong>of</strong> streaks on each. Its underside consists <strong>of</strong> various greyish browns.<br />
The distal band <strong>of</strong> spots and dark brown lines are entirely absent in some individuals.<br />
The Grey Pansy’s habits are similar to that <strong>of</strong> the Lemon Pansy, but it is a much slower<br />
flier and the males prefer to perch on bushes to seek out mates.<br />
It is commonly found all over the low country and in fewer numbers in the hills. It is<br />
the dominant Pansy in wet zone home gardens and parks. Females are usually seen in<br />
larger numbers near abandoned paddy fields in search <strong>of</strong> plants to lay eggs.<br />
LFPs: Acanthaceae and Linderniaceae plants including Hygrophila schulli (kSruq,a,sh),<br />
Lindernia pusilla, Lindernia crustacea<br />
Nymphalidae<br />
72 <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> 73