Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

M
EN
E
Sri Lankan Blue Oak Leaf Kallima philarchus
Common Sailor Neptis hylas
S
LC
Nymphalidae
Female
The forewing apex is pointed and the hind wing is elongated at the anal angle to
resemble a leaf in closed wing position. Most of its upper surface is shiny blue in
colour. The forewing has a small light blue patch on a broad, blackish brown apical
band. A light blue band runs along the interior of the apical band. The female has the
same colour pattern, but lacks the brilliance. The female’s hind wing is also scattered
with brown scales. The markings on its underside remarkably mimic a dried up leaf
due to the unique enhancements in the shape of its wings. These characteristics vary
across individuals and no similar markings are shared. A dark line runs from the apex
of the forewing to the anal angle of hind wing in the likeness of the mid rib of a leaf.
Both wings are marked in several dark and light patches to resemble fungi.
The Sri Lankan Blue Oak Leaf only feeds on overripe fruits and tree sap. Males perch on
foliage in an opening at a stream to search for mates. This is a migrant species.
The sexes look similar but the female is quite large. The upper side is blackish brown.
A white streak commencing from the base of the forewing is followed by two white
spots which form a band. A basal line on the hind wing together with patches on the
forewing form a second parallel band. Rectangular patches on the hind wing make up
a third parallel band. The marginal and sub-marginal white bands are fairly indistinct.
The background of its underside is golden brown, with the white patches seen on the
upper surface visible with additional faint lines in between. The scale-less dorsal area
of its thorax has a greenish sheen.
It has a characteristic sailing flight and is active during most of the day except early
morning and late afternoon. It eludes the heat by resting in closed wing position
during the hot hours of the day, for otherwise it is found with open wings. It feeds on
both flowers and fruits.
Nymphalidae
This is an iconic butterfly in gloomy wet zone forests, only coming out in openings
within forests. Its distribution extends to the intermediate zone and occasionally to
dry zone forests along shady streams.
LFPs: Strobilanthes species (fk¿) including S. lupulina and S. diandra
It prefers sunny habitats such as parks, roadside vegetation, wastelands and scrublands.
LFPs: This butterfly has the most number of LFPs in Sri Lanka which are not even
restricted to certain families of plants. It uses 30 plant species in 7 families. It includes
Dalbergia pseudo-sissoo (nUr je,a), Trema orientalis (.evqU) and Urena lobata (wem,)
76 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 77