Butterflies in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is home to around 250 butterfly species. Several of these are endemic to the country and cannot be found any where else including the national butterfly of Sri Lanka – the appropriately named Sri Lanka Birdwing. Other notable species include the Ceylon Tiger, the Ceylon Cereleun, and the Sri Lankan Lesser Albatross.
List of Different Butterfly Species of Sri Lanka
Brush-Footed (Nymphalidae)
- Angled Castor (Ariadne ariadne)
- Autumn Leaf (Doleschallia bisaltide)
- Baron (Euthalia aconthea)
- Black Prince (Rohana parisatis)
- Black Rajah (Charaxes solon)
- Blue Admiral (Kaniska canace)
- Blue Pansy (Junonia orithya)
- Blue Tiger (Tirumala limniace)
- Brown King Crow (Euploea klugii)
- Ceylon Blue Glassy Tiger (Ideopsis similis)
- Ceylon Blue Oakleaf (Kallima philarchus) [endemic]
- Ceylon Forester (Lethe dynsate) [endemic]
- Ceylon Palmfly (Elymnias singhala) [endemic]
- Ceylon Tiger (Parantica taprobana) [endemic]
- Ceylon Tree Nymph (Idea iasonia)
- Chestnut-streaked Sailer (Neptis jumbah)
- Chocolate Pansy (Junonia iphita)
- Cingalese Bushbrown (Mycalesis rama) [endemic]
- Clipper (Parthenos sylvia)
- Club Beak (Libythea myrrha)
- Commander (Moduza procris)
- Common Castor (Ariadne merione)
- Common Crow (Euploea core)
- Common Cruiser (Vindula erota)
- Common Evening Brown (Melanitis leda)
- Common Lascar (Pantoporia hordonia)
- Common Leopard (Phalanta phalantha)
- Common Nawab (Polyura athamas)
- Common Palmfly (Elymnias hypermnestra)
- Common Sailer (Neptis hylas)
- Common Tiger (Danaus genutia)
- Common Treebrown (Lethe rohria)
- Danaid Eggfly (Hypolimnas misippus)
- Dark Blue Tiger (Tirumala septentrionis)
- Darkbrand Bushbrown (Mycalesis mineus)
- Dark Evening Brown (Melanitis phedima)
- Dingy Bush-brown (Mycalesis perseus)
- Double-branded Crow (Euploea sylvester)
- Dusky Bush-brown (Orsotriaena medus)
- European Nettle-tree Butterfly (Libythea celtis)
- Gaudy Baron (Euthalia lubentina)
- Glad-eye Bushbrown (Mycalesis patnia)
- Glassy Tiger (Parantica aglea)
- Gray Pansy (Junonia atlites)
- Great Crow (Euploea phaenareta)
- Great Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina)
- Indian Fritillary (Argynnis hyperbius)
- Indian Red Admiral (Vanessa indica)
- Jewel Four-ring (Ypthima avanta)
- Lemon Pansy (Junonia lemonias)
- Long-brand Bushbrown (Mycalesis visala)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Peacock Pansy (Junonia almana)
- Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus)
- Red-spot Duke (Dophla evelina)
- Rustic (Cupha erymanthis)
- Sinhalese Five-ring (Ypthima singala) [endemic]
- Small Leopard (Phalanta alcippe)
- Southern Duffer (Discophora lepida)
- Spotted Joker (Byblia ilithyia)
- Sri Lanka Treebrown (Lethe daretis) [endemic]
- Tamil Lacewing (Cethosia nietneri)
- Tamil Treebrown (Lethe drypetis)
- Tawny Coster (Acraea terpsicore)
- White Four-ring (Ypthima ceylonica)
- Yellow Pansy (Junonia hierta)
Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
- Acacia Blue (Surendra vivarna)
- Banded Blue Pierrot (Discolampa ethion)
- Bold Line-blue (Nacaduba pactolus)
- Bright Babul Blue (Azanus ubaldus)
- Centaur Oakblue (Arhopala centaurus)
- Ceylon Cereleun (Jamides coruscans) [endemic]
- Ceylon Hedge Blue (Udara lanka) [endemic]
- Ceylon Indigo Royal (Tajuria arida) [endemic]
- Clouded Silverline (Cigaritis nubilus) [endemic]
- Common Guava Blue (Virachola isocrates)
- Common Imperial (Cheritra freja)
- Common Onyx (Horaga onyx)
- Common Pierrot (Castalius rosimon)
- Common Silverline (Cigaritis vulcanus)
- Common Tinsel (Catapaecilma major)
- Dark Cornelian (Deudorix epijarbas)
- Dark Grass Blue (Zizeeria karsandra)
- Dingy Lineblue (Petrelaea dana)
- Forget-me-not (Catochrysops strabo)
- Gram Blue (Euchrysops cnejus)
- Grass Jewel (Freyeria trochylus)
- Green’s Silverline (Cigaritis greeni) [endemic]
- Indian Cupid (Cupido lacturnus)
- Indian Sunbeam (Curetis thetis)
- King Cerulean (Jamides bochus)
- Lesser Grass-blue (Zizina otis)
- Lime Blue (Chilades lajus)
- Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus)
- Long-tailed Line-blue (Prosotas nora)
- Malabar Flash (Rapala lankana)
- Malayan (Megisba malaya)
- Monkey Puzzle (Rathinda amor)
- Nilgiri Tit (Hypolycaena nilgirica)
- Pale Ceylon Lineblue (Nacaduba sinhala) [endemic]
- Plain Hedge Blue (Celastrina lavendularis)
- Plains Blue Royal (Tajuria jehana)
- Plains Cupid (Luthrodes pandava)
- Plumbago Blue (Leptotes plinius)
- Pointed Ciliate Blue (Anthene lycaenina)
- Pointed Lineblue (Ionolyce helicon)
- Purple Leaf Blue (Amblypodia anita)
- Quaker (Neopithecops zalmora)
- Red Pierrot (Talicada nyseus)
- Redspot (Zesius chrysomallus)
- Silverstreak Blue (Iraota timoleon)
- Singalese Hedge Blue (Udara singalensis) [endemic]
- Striped Pierrot (Tarucus nara)
- Sword-tailed Flash (Bindahara phocides)
- White Hedge Blue (Udara akasa)
- White Royal (Pratapa deva)
- Woodhouse’s Four Lineblue (Nacaduba ollyetti) [endemic]
- Yamfly (Loxura atymnus)
Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
- Black-spotted White (Leptosia nina)
- Chocolate Albatross (Appias lyncida)
- Common Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe)
- Common Gull (Cepora nerissa)
- Common Jezebel (Delias eucharis)
- Crimsontip (Colotis danae)
- Dark Wanderer (Pareronia ceylanica)
- Great Orange Tip (Hebomoia glaucippe)
- Large Salmon Arab (Colotis fausta)
- Lemon Migrant (Catopsilia pomona)
- Lesser Gull (Cepora nadina)
- Lined Grass-yellow (Eurema laeta)
- No-brand Grass-yellow (Eurema brigitta)
- Orange Migrant (Catopsilia scylla)
- Painted Sawtooth (Prioneris sita)
- Plain Puffin (Appias indra)
- Small Orangetip (Colotis etrida)
- Small Salmon Arab (Colotis amata)
- Sri Lankan Lesser Albatross (Appias galene) [endemic]
- Striped Albatross (Appias libythea)
- Sulphur Orange Tip (Colotis aurora)
- Three-spot Grass Yellow (Eurema blanda)
- White Albatross (Appias albina)
- White Migrant (Catopsilia pyranthe)
- White Orangetip (Ixias marianne)
- Yellow Albatross (Appias paulina)
- Yellow Orange Tip (Ixias pyrene)
Metalmark (Riodinidae)
- Plum Judy (Abisara echerius)
Swallowtail (Papilionidae)
- Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor)
- Blue Triangle (Graphium sarpedon)
- Ceylon Rose (Pachliopta jophon) [endemic]
- Chequered Swallowtail (Papilio demoleus)
- Common Banded Peacock (Papilio crino)
- Common Jay (Graphium doson)
- Common Mime (Papilio clytia)
- Common Mormon (Papilio polytes)
- Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae)
- Crimson Rose (Pachliopta hector)
- Five-bar Swallowtail (Graphium antiphates)
- Green-spotted Triangle (Graphium agamemnon)
- Red Helen (Papilio helenus)
- Spot Swordtail (Graphium nomius)
- Sri Lankan Birdwing (Troides darsius) [endemic]
Skipper (Hesperiidae)
- Banded Demon (Notocrypta paralysos)
- Banded Redeye (Gangara lebadea)
- Black Angle (Tapena thwaitesi)
- Blank Swift (Caltoris kumara)
- Branded Orange Awlet (Bibasis oedipodea)
- Ceylon Dartlet (Oriens goloides)
- Chestnut Bob (Iambrix salsala)
- Chinese Dart (Potanthus confucius)
- Common Awl (Hasora badra)
- Common Banded Awl (Hasora chromus)
- Common Bush Hopper (Ampittia dioscorides)
- Common Grass Dart (Taractrocera maevius)
- Common Redeye (Matapa aria)
- Common Small Flat (Sarangesa dasahara)
- Conjoined Swift (Pelopidas conjuncta)
- Decorated Ace (Thoressa decorata)
- Giant Redeye (Gangara thyrsis)
- Grass Demon (Udaspes folus)
- Hedge-hopper (Baracus vittatus)
- Indian Ace (Halpe homolea)
- Indian Awlking (Choaspes benjaminii)
- Indian Dart (Potanthus pseudomaesa)
- Indian Grizzled Skipper (Spialia galba)
- Indian Palm Bob (Suastus gremius)
- Marbled Skipper (Gomalia elma)
- Orangetail Awl (Bibasis sena)
- Pale Small-branded Swift (Pelopidas thrax)
- Pallid Dart (Potanthus pallida)
- Philippine Swift (Caltoris philippina)
- Pied Flat (Tagiades japetus)
- Restricted Demon (Notocrypta curvifascia)
- Rice Swift (Borbo cinnara)
- Small Branded Swift (Pelopidas mathias)
- Small Palm Bob (Suastus minuta)
- Tree Flitter (Hyarotis adrastus)
- Tricolour Pied Flat (Coladenia indrani)
- Water Snow Flat (Tagiades litigiosa)
- White Banded Awl (Hasora taminatus)
Some of the best places to see butterflies in Sri Lanka include Dilmah Conservation, Sinharaja Forest, Ritigala Strict Natural Reserve, Wasgamuwa National Park, and the mountains of Riverston.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many butterfly species are found in Sri Lanka?
Approximately 250 butterfly species are found in Sri Lanka, making it a significant region for lepidopteran diversity. This count includes a variety of families, from the widespread Brush-Footed butterflies to other unique groups, highlighting the island’s rich ecosystems that support these different species across various habitats.
What is the national butterfly of Sri Lanka?
The national butterfly of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lanka Birdwing. This large, striking species is endemic to the island, meaning it is not naturally found anywhere else in the world. Its significant size and vibrant coloration make it a well-recognized symbol of the nation’s rich biodiversity.
Are there butterfly species unique to Sri Lanka?
Yes, Sri Lanka is home to several endemic butterfly species that are found nowhere else on Earth. These unique butterflies, such as the Ceylon Tiger and the Ceylon Tree Nymph, have evolved in isolation on the island, contributing to its status as a global biodiversity hotspot for wildlife.
What are some examples of endemic butterflies in Sri Lanka?
Some notable examples of endemic butterflies in Sri Lanka include species that have evolved uniquely on the island. Key examples from the Brush-Footed family are:
* Ceylon Blue Oakleaf (Kallima philarchus)
* Ceylon Forester (Lethe dynsate)
* Ceylon Palmfly (Elymnias singhala)
* Ceylon Tiger (Parantica taprobana)
What family of butterflies is common in Sri Lanka?
The Brush-Footed butterfly family, Nymphalidae, is very common in Sri Lanka. This diverse group includes well-known species like the Blue Pansy, Common Tiger, and the endemic Ceylon Blue Oakleaf. Their front legs are reduced to small “brushes,” which is a key characteristic of this widespread family.
Is the Ceylon Tiger butterfly endemic to Sri Lanka?
Yes, the Ceylon Tiger (Parantica taprobana) is an endemic butterfly species found only in Sri Lanka. It belongs to the Brush-Footed family and is a key part of the island’s unique biodiversity. Its restricted natural range makes its conservation particularly important for preserving the country’s natural heritage.
What is the scientific name for the Ceylon Blue Oakleaf butterfly?
The scientific name for the Ceylon Blue Oakleaf butterfly is Kallima philarchus. This endemic species is famous for its remarkable camouflage, where its closed wings perfectly mimic a dry leaf. This adaptation helps it avoid predators in the forested habitats it occupies throughout the island of Sri Lanka.
