Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

S
EN
Baronet Symphaedra nais
Baron Euthalia aconthea
M
EN
Nymphalidae
The upper side is bright orange. The white colour of its cilia is distinct due to the
contrasting black border on the outer margins of both wings. The spots on the submarginal
row of its hind wing convert into an irregular line on the forewing. The
other black markings on forewing vary. Its underside is more variable than the upper
surface. The purplish tinge on its hind wing also varies. The white oblique band is
entirely absent on its hind wing and is reduced in the forewing of some individuals.
Each cell has two red patches outlined in black which are circular on the hind wing.
The tips of its antenna and proboscis are yellowish in colour.
The Baronet eagerly feeds on the juice of fruits. Dozens attracted to fallen berries can
be seen under Drypetes sepiaria (ùr) trees. They are also attracted to human sweat.
Males engage in mud puddling. These butterflies tolerate disturbances to a great
extent when they are feeding.
The tips of its antennae are reddish and its proboscis is greenish yellow in colour.
The male is much smaller than the female. Male: The upper side has variegated
brilliant metallic sheens of green that fade with age. The sheen also differs according
to the angle of viewing. The basal parts are darker than the distal area and the outer
margins are marked in greenish brown. Both cells have markings on dark lines. The
white patches beyond the forewing cell vary. The underside is flushed in dull white.
There are black lines on its cells and a row of sub-marginal black spots on both wings.
Female: The upper side is brown with a slight purplish sheen on its hind wing and a
green sheen on its forewing. The forewing has an oblique band of white patches. The
underside is similar to that of a male, except that it has a white band on its forewing.
The fast flying Baron eagerly feeds on fruits. They visit fruits both on trees and on the
ground and flies at all the levels without any particular preference.
Male
Female
Nymphalidae
This is purely a savannah grassland species. It is quite common in those habitats
during the rainy season but diminishes in numbers due to excessive man-made forest
fires.
This butterfly is common in home gardens since their larval food plants are commonly
available. It is distributed throughout the country, but become scarce towards the
hills.
LFPs: Its sole larval food plant is Diospyros melanoxylon (îä fld< .ia$l=vqïfíßh)
LFPs: Anacardium occidentale (lcq), Mangifera indica (wU), Nothopegia beddomei (n,)
80 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 81