Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

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