Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae)

English: Common Rose
Binomial Name: Pachliopta aristolochiae

A butterfly belongs to  Papilionidae family and the population has been distributed across South and South East Asia. Sub species P. a. ceylonicus is endemic to Sri Lannka. Population of Sri Lanka has been distributed in all environmental regions. But difficult to find in areas where elevation above the sea level is greater than 1200meters.

Lime butterfly (Papilio demoleus)

English: Lime butterfly / Lemon butterfly
Binomial Name: Papilio demoleus

Common butterfly found in all environmental regions of Sri Lanka. It is given the name, "Lime Butterfly" since it uses plants belong to citrus family as the host plant. Population of this butterfly has been distributed around many other Asian countries.

Red Helen (Papilio helenus)

English: Red Helen
Binomial Name: Papilio helenus

Red Helen is a butterfly distributed across Asian countries. In Sri Lanka it can be seen in forests and difficult to find close to human habitats. More common in wet zone. It looks similar to Papilio polytes, but large in size. Larval food plants belong to Rutaceae family.

Crimson Rose (Pachliopta hector)

English : Crimson Rose

Binomial Name : Pachliopta hector

Crimson Rose lives mainly in Sri Lanka and India. But it's rare to find in central hills of Sri Lanka. Bright color patters of wings indicate the inedibility by predators. It is mimicked by the female of Common mormon. But can be distinguished easily by the red colored abdomen and brightly colored crimson markings of Crimson Rose.

Common Mormon (Papilio polytes)

Male

Female

Female

English : Common Mormon
Binomial Name : Papilio polytes

This butterfly has been distributed across Asia including Sri Lanka. It mimics Inedible Common Rose and the Crimson Rose to protect themselves from predators. In Sri Lanka they have been distributed in all climatic zones.

Sri Lankan Rose / Ceylon Rose (Pachliopta jophon)

English : Sri Lankan Rose / Ceylon Rose
Binomial Name : Pachliopta jophon

Ceylon Rose is somewhat rare endemic butterfly of Sri Lanka. Can be seen in wet zone rain forests.It has a long tail compared to Crimson Rose. Apical half of the abdomen has the color of crimson. Regarded as critically endangered due to loss of habitats.

Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon)

English : Common Bluebottle / Blue Triangle
Scientific : Graphium sarpedon

Common Bluebottle is a butterfly living in South and Southeast Asia including almost all environmental regions of Sri Lanka. It feeds on nectar of flowers and males have the habit of feeding by the edges of puddles. Larvae of the G. sarpedon feed on trees which belong to Lauraceae family. It is considered as a fast moving and fast reacting butterfly by making it difficult to catch.