Chestnut Streaked Sailer (Neptis jumbah)

English: Chestnut Streaked Sailer
Binomial: Neptis jumbah

Neptis jumbah is a widely distributed butterfly in many countries in the world including Sri Lanka. It is more similar to Common Sailer. But it is less common compared to Common Sailer and mostly lives in well-wooded areas. Above photographed one was found at Makandawa rain forest in Kithulgala. IUCN Red List status of this butterfly is 'LC'.

Sri Lanka Treebrown (Lethe daretis)

English: Sri Lanka Treebrown
Binomial: Lethe daretis

Sri Lanka Treebrown is a endemic species of butterflies restricted to the montane zone of Sri Lanka. Host plants of this butterfly belongs to poaceae family(Bamboo family). Due to that reason, a popular place to observe this butterfly is among the bamboo bushes of Horton National Park. Above photograph was taken at Galway's Land National Park in Nuwaraelya.

Sri Lankan Blue Oak leaf (Kallima philarchus)

English: Sri Lankan Blue Oak leaf
Binomial: Kallima philarchus

Sri Lankan Blue Oak leaf is an endemic species of butterflies found in Sri Lanka. They normally rest on trunks of trees pointing the head downwards. When it fold the wings together, its body shape and the color resemble a dried leaf which can mislead predators. The upper side of the wings is blue in color that is only visible if the wings are opened. Host plants of this butterfly belong to Acanthaceae family and above photograph was taken at Sinharaja.

Lemon pansy (Junonia lemonias)

English: Lemon pansy
Binomial: Junonia lemonias

Lemon pansy is a widely distributed butterfly in South Asian region including Sri Lanka. Above was photographed at Yala national park in June, 2015. It is more common in the dry zone compared to the wet zone.

Plain tiger (Danaus chrysippus)

English: Plain tiger
Binomial: Danaus chrysippus

Plain tiger is a widely distributed butterfly in Asian and African countries. It is a slow flier due to the less threat from predators. This butterfly is ignored by predators due to the unpalatable alkaloids contaminated in the body. Therefore some other species of butterflies such as Indian fritillary, mimic the characteristics of Plain tiger. In Sri Lanka, it is more common in dry zone compared to the wet zone. Above photographs were taken at Yala national park in June, 2015.

Medus Brown (Orsotriaena medus)

English: Medus Brown
Binomial: Orsotriaena medus

Medus Brown is a butterfly found in many Asian countries including Sri Lanka. Host plants of this butterfly belongs to Poaceae family. Above photograph was taken at Makandawa rainforest forest, Kithulgala.

Club Beak (Libythea myrrha)

English: Club Beak
Binomial: Libythea myrrha

Club Beak is a butterfly belongs to Nymphalidae family. In Sri Lanka it is common in wet zone and highlands. Sub species found in Sri Lanka is L. m. rama. Usually it can be seen mud puddling close to streams. Above photograph was taken close to a stream at Makandawa rain forest, Kithulgala.

Sri Lanka tree nymph (Idea iasonia)

Binomial Name: Idea iasonia
English: Sri Lanka Tree Nymph/Ceylon Tree Nymph

An endemic butterfly found in wet zone and dry zone forests of Sri Lanka. It has a  unique slow floating flight with very slow wing beats. In the wet zone this butterfly can be seen flying in the canopy layer of the forest. In IUCN Red list it is categorized as 'Near Threatened'. Deforestation has become the major thread for this butterfly.

Common evening brown (Melanitis leda)

Wet-season form

English: Common evening brown
Binomial Name: Melanitis leda

Widely distributed butterfly in Asia, Africa and Australia including Sri Lanka. Two seasonal forms exists namely Wet-season form and Dry-season from. Different types of grasses are the host plants of this butterfly.

Clipper (Parthenos sylvia)

English: Clipper
Binomial Name: Parthenos sylvia

Clipper is a butterfly found in dense forests of Sri Lanka and difficult to find close to human habitats. It is common in wet zone compared to dry zone. This butterfly settles rarely on the ground. Most of the time it can be seen flying high up in the trees. Many sub species of this butterfly have been identified in some other Asian countries. The sub species found in Sri Lanka is P. s. cyaneus.

The Commander (Moduza procris calidasa)

English: The Commander
Binomial Name: Moduza procris calidasa / Limenitis procris

Moduza procris is a common butterfly lives in forests of Sri Lanka. Most of the time this butterfly can be spotted near stones of stream beds inside forests. More abundant in low land wet zone. Apart from Sri Lanka it has been distributed across other Asian countries such as India. Sub species found in Sri Lanka is M. p. calidasa. Their host plants belongs to Rubiaceae family.

Common Sailer (Neptis hylas)

English : Common Sailer
Binomial Name : Neptis hylas

This butterfly lives in South Asia and Southeast Asia including all environmental regions of Sri Lanka. Can be identified by the three white color lines in the upperside. Larval food plants belong to Fabaceae family. Two forms can be seen based on dry and wet seasons.

Dark-branded Bushbrown (Mycalesis mineus)

English : Dark-branded Bushbrown

Binomial Name : Mycalesis mineus

Wildly distributed butterfly around Sri Lanka and other Asian countries. Two forms exist and they are namely dry season form and and wet season form. Uperside of the wings is dark in Wet-season form and paler in Dry-season form. Larval food plant is grasses belongs to Poaceae family.

Common Lascar (Pantoporia hordonia sinuata / Neptis hordonia sinuata)

English : Common Lascar

Binomial Name : Pantoporia hordonia sinuata 

A butterfly found in tropical and subtropical Asia. But Race sinuata Moore can be seen only in Sri Lanka.Common throughout the island, But mostly can be found in 500 – 4000 feet elevation levels. Larva of this butterfly feeds on Acacia and Albizzia.

Peacock Pansy (Junonia almana)

Upperside

Underside

English : Peacock Pansy

Binomial Name : Junonia almana

J. almana is a butterfly distributed in all geographical areas of Sri Lanka. Apart form Sri Lanka , this butterfly can be seen in other South Asian countries. Adult of this butterfly exists in two forms. They are namely dry season and wet season form. Eye like markings on upper side of this butterfly is used to deceive predators by appearing as a dangerous animal.

Angled Castor (Ariadne ariadne)

English : Angled Castor

Binomial Name : Ariadne ariadne

Widely distributed butterfly in Asia including Sri Lanka. More common in dry zone. Plants belongs to Euphorbiaceae family are the major host plants. This butterfly is given the name "Angled Castor" due to the name of its main host plant, Castor (Ricinus communis).

Joker / Spotted Joker (Byblia ilithyia)

English : Joker / Spotted Joker

Binomial Name : Byblia ilithyia

Being restricted to the arid-zone and some parts of very dry areas of dry zone, Byblia ilithyia has become somewhat rare butterfly of Sri Lanka. Apart from Sri Lanka it lives in some parts of Africa and India. It is a non edible butterfly for predators such as birds due to the accumulated poison taken by host plants. Most of their host plants belong to Euphorbiaceae family.

Indian Fritillary (Argynnis hyperbius)

Male

Male

English : Indian Fritillary

Binomial Name : Argynnis hyperbius

In Sri Lanka this butterfly has been restricted to central highlands elevation above the sea level is greater than 1500 meters. About 10 sub species of this butterfly has been identified around the world and the one lives in Sri Lanka is A. hyperbius taprobana. It is a common butterfly of Horton National Park. They like sunny open places. Male and female looks different. Female lays bright green color eggs.

Blue Glassy Tiger (Ideopsis similis)

English : Blue Glassy Tiger  

Binomial Name : Ideopsis similis

I. similis is a butterfly belongs to Nymphalidae family.It can be found in Asia. This butterfly can be identified by bluish and whitish markings of wings. In Sri Lanka it has been restricted to lowland wet zone.

Common Tiger (Danaus genutia)

English : Common Tiger / Striped Tiger
Binomial Name : Danaus genutia

Common Tiger is a butterfly lives in India,, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka it has been distributed across all regions. This butterfly is ignored by predators due to its unpleasant taste and smell.