Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

S
LC
Gladeye Bush Brown Mycalesis patina
White Four Ring Ypthima ceylonica
S
LC
Nymphalidae
The female is duller in appearance and bigger in size. The upper side is rusty brown.
It has a black ‘eye spot’ with a white centre on the forewing. It is enhanced by a large
crescent shaped orange-coloured patch just above the ‘eye spot’. The white patch
near the apex varies in size. A bright-coloured patch is apparent on the cell end and
extends towards the outer margin. The minute orange spots on the hind wing may
be absent. Two marginal lines are distinct on the hind wing. The underside is highly
variable both in background colour and pattern. The background colour is always
paler than that of the upper surface and the ‘eye spots’ encircled in beautiful silver
lines are very prominent. Dry zone individuals are much lighter in colour.
It feeds on fallen rotting fruits, decaying matter on the ground, and flowers. It flies
among shrubs and grasses in gloomy forests and it is easily disturbed. It occasionally
basks under the morning sun with partially opened wings. When alarmed, it suddenly
closes its wings and only flies away if the threat is still approaching.
The upper side is greyish brown with a large white area on the hind wing. The
forewing has a large circular black spot with two minute white spots inside and it is
further outlined in a brownish yellow line. The white spots have light blue lustre in
newly emerged individuals. The hind wing has two or three small ‘eye spots’ above a
wavy sub-marginal band. The dull brown background of the underside of its forewing
is striated in white, while the colours are inverted on its hind wing. Females expose
more white on the hind wing. The forewing has a very large ‘eye spot’, while the hind
wing always has four spots. The sizes of these spots vary.
The White Four Ring frequently flies among grasses and rarely ascends to bushes. It
feeds on grass flowers and also visits herbaceous flowers among the grasses. It flies in
both shady and sunny conditions, and its flight is weak and slow. When it is alarmed,
it suddenly opens up its wings to display the large ‘eye spots’. If the threat further
proceeds, it flies into a thicket.
Nymphalidae
These butterflies can be found in shady places in the forest, but never in gardens. It is
common in wetter parts of the island, but also appears in dry zone forests.
Commonly found all over the country, their numbers are quite low in the highest hills
and the northern region. It is an inhabitant of open vegetation and avoids forests.
LFPs: Forest grass species including Cyrtococcum trigonum and Rilawal (ß,dj,a)
LFPs: Grasses including Axonopus compressus (f.dx ;Kfld,), Cyrtococcum trigonum.
92 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 93