Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

S
LC
Chocolate Soldier Junonia iphita
Great Eggfly Hypolimnas bolina
M
LC
Nymphalidae
Female
The forewing apex is falcate and the anal angle of the hind wing extends to simulate a
dried up leaf in closed wing position. The upper surface is chocolate brown with dark
brown markings. The distal row of spots and two sub-marginal rows of dark brown
markings are more prominent in the hind wing than in the fore wing. The colour of
the spots on the hind wing varies, sometimes giving a very distinctive appearance.
The background colour of the underside is darker than that on the upper side, but
it is unevenly washed out with whitish scales. The prominence of the oblique white
line and row of spots on the hind wing varies. Usually females have one or two white
patches on the upper marginal end of the oblique line, but rare individuals lack them.
The habits of the Chocolate Soldier are similar to those of the Grey Pansy. It likes to
fly in sunny open spaces in spite of its dark brown colour which can be used as a
marvellous camouflage technique on gloomy forest floors. This is a migrant species.
This butterfly is abundant in the scrublands, roadside vegetation, parks and forest
openings. It is evenly distributed throughout the country.
LFPs: Herbs and small shrubs of Acanthaceae family including Barleria prionitis (lgq
lr~q), Dipteracanthus prostratus (ks,a mqrela), Strobilanthes diandra (fk¿)
Male: The upper side is black with two elongated white patches on the forewing and
one large rounded patch on the hind wing. These patches are surrounded by brilliant
light blue scales. The brightness and intensity of these scales differs according to the
angle of view. The markings on its dark brown coloured underside are highly variable.
Usually the white patches on the upper side are represented here without the blue
scales. The patch on the hind wing alters to a faint, oblique line in some individuals.
The cream coloured markings on the outer margins are also variable. Female: The
upper side is dark chocolate brown with creamy outer marginal markings on the hind
wing that are also mirrored in the underside. Newly emerged individuals have some
lustrous dark blue patches towards the upper margin of the forewing. The underside
looks like that of the male, but more often without the white patches.
Females lay eggs on saplings or on surrounding surfaces after perching on the
ground. This is a migrant species.
The Great Eggfly prefers forested habitats, but females come to openings at the forest
borders/forest edges to lay eggs. It is distributed throughout the country.
LFPs: Urena lobata (wem,), Sida cordata (fij, neì,), Synedrella nodiflora
Male
Male
Nymphalidae
74 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 75