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