Butterfly - some information
Butterflies are the most attractive and beautiful creatures. Among the insect group, they are often regarded as flag bearing species. The butterfly is the one which is researched and studied most by the fellows in the world in different parts as they are very commonly seen and easy to observe. The butterfly density is much higher in the tropicals compared to temperate areas.. Their habitat ranges from arctic to the great deserts of the world. The butterflies are divided in to two super families viz., Papilionoidea constitutes 11,100 species and Hesperioidea constitutes 3,650 species in the world. Ancient people carved images of butterflies into stones, and worshipped as their God messengers. Even today the butterfly is continued to be given a special status. Many species, both common and rare, can be easily and reliably identified in the field. They are also amongst the better-studied groups of organisms with availability of field guides. Butterflies are very colorful and important insect living in our environment. They help in the stability of the natural diversity of the environment. In Zoological terms butterflies belongs to the Phylum Arthropoda and class Insecta
Sri Lanka
The tropical island paradise of Sri Lanka is astonishingly rich in wildlife and contains a wide variety of habitats ranging from highland forests and lush rainforest to arid, scrub-filled plains and an abundance of fresh water lakes. Over a tenth of the land mass is designated as protected areas for wildlife and the principal reserves are among the best in Asia. Although geographically close to India the zoology of the island displays many affinities to Indonesia and there is a marked degree of endemism, particularly in the remaining tracts of lowland forest to the south of the island where many of the birds, plants and insects are unique to Sri Lanka.
Batticola of Srilanka
The Butterfly Peace Garden (BPG) is a non-governmental organization established in the year 1996 at Batticola. Since that time the BPG has provided counseling and support to children traumatized by civil conflict in the region. In late 2004 the BPG also became a centre for helping victims of the Tsunami which devastated the Batticaloa area. The BPG and its staff have been supported local Government as also oversees agencies and other foreign countries. WarChild International and Ashoka International, which named BPG co-founder Paul Hogan a fellow in 2003. Children are brought to the BPG each day from surrounding villages in groups that are mixed with respect to gender and ethnicity (e.g. children from Tamil and Muslim villages).
The glamour set of the insect world, most species of butterflies and dragonflies in Sri Lanka are found in the lower foothills. Some butterflies can be seen all year round while others are seasonal. The two major seasons where butterfly numbers peak, corresponds to the start of the southwest monsoon in March/April and the northeast monsoon in September/October. One of the most spectacular scenes is the seasonal migration of butterflies during March and April, when tradition has it that they fly towards 'Samanala Kande' (Butterfly Peak), the local name for the mountain more famous as 'Sri Pada' or `Adam's Peak'.
Gamboha of Srilanka
The Botanic garden of Gamboha [BGG] are one of the best places to see butterfly fauna and study their life circles. There are about 80 species of Butterflies recorded here with five endemic species. Various kinds of flowering plants and a vast collection of plant diversity are a source of food and food plants of butterflies. On sunny days you will be able to see Sri Lankan most beautiful and the largest butterflies like the Endemic Ceylon Bird wing, Blue Mormon, Common Mormon, Common Rose, Crimson Rose, Mime and Banded Peacocks flying all over the place. In addition, the Botanic Gardens are an ideal place to study about butterfly food plants, their breeding and life cycles.
Roughly 245 species [ may vary ] of butterflies occur in Sri Lanka, of which 23 are endemics [ figure may vary ]. Their habitats range from the hottest areas in the arid zones to the coolest areas in the forested hills. Some butterflies can be seen all year round while others are seasonal. In size, they range from the large, aptly named Bird-wing butterfly to the tiny, just as aptly named, Grass Jewel.
The highest number of species of butterflies occur in the foothills up to 3000 feet elevation. About half a dozen species occur above 4000 feet. Twenty species are strictly confined to the dry zone below 500 feet. There are two major seasons in which the butterfly numbers peak. These correspond to the onset of the south-west monsoon in March-April and the north-east monsoon in September-October.
List of few species which are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Blue Oakleaf Ceylon Rose
Ceylon Birdwing Decorated Ace
Pala Ceylon 6-Lineblue Ceylon Hedge Blue
Jewel Four-ring Ceylon Treebrown
Ceylon Forester Cingalese Bushbrown
Ceylon Palmfly Ormiston’s Oakblue
Clouded Silverline Ceylon Indigo Royal
Woodhouse’s 4-lineblue White-tipped Lineblue
Ceylon Cerulean Rare Ace
Common Bird wing:This is the biggest butterfly in Sri Lanka. This species can be seen in many parts of the island but not in highlands and in northern part of the island.
Blue Mormon: This species can be seen up to 4000 feet from the sea level but very rare in high lands. Very much close to the Common Bird wing and it is the second largest butterfly in Sri Lanka
Ceylon Tree Nymph - This species is treated as an endangered species. Can be seen in the Wet zone of the island. Very much like to the wet environment and flies very slow.
Crimson Rose -This is a very common species. It likes the dry environment.
Banded Peacock -Flies very first the habitat is dry zone and up to 1000 feet of the sea level. It is very bright butterfly with blue and green colors.
Common Mormon -This species is very common across the island. This is a bit larger species.
Clipper: This species is treated as an endangered in Sri Lanka. Lives up to 3000 feet sea level. It is large and very attractive species
Common Blue bottle - This is a common species which is very attractive and with bright blue color. Flies very fast and love to live in wet places. The habitat of this species is dry zone and also in the high lands.
The image will be posted shortly as i could not link it to the post.
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