Early Stages of Glassy Tiger

Glassy Tiger; Female butterfly resting on young shoot of its host plant

The female butterfly lay eggs singly on the immature leaves of larval host plant; Dregea volubilis [Linn.f.]. Freshly laid eggs are nearly oval in shape with slightly pointed end. It is often laid on underside of the leaves or young shoots of the larval food plant.

Glassy Tiger; Development of egg

Early Stages of Common Leopard

The larva of Leopard butterfly usually feeds on immature to middle age leaves of host plant.

The female butterfly lays eggs on the immature leaves or young shoots of host plant. It takes about 2-3 days to hatch. The newly hatched caterpillar eats its egg shell as the first meal. It (which is not shown here), is having a black head capsule and yellowish body. Initially its body length is around 1.5 mm which increases up to 3- 3.2 mm before moulting to 2nd instar. It takes about 2 days for 1st instar caterpillar to reach the second instar. 

2nd and 3rd instar caterpillars of Leopard butterfly

Early Stages of Plain Tiger butterfly

Freshly emerged Plain Tiger butterfly: Female

Male Plain Tiger butterfly

Eggs of Plain Tiger butterflies are laid singly on the underside of leaves of the host plant. Eggs hatch after about 3 days. The caterpillar usually feeds on immature leaves of the host plant and it takes about 10 to 15 days to develop from 1st instar to final instar.

Tamil Yeoman (Cirrochroa thais)

Family : Nymphalidae

Genus : Cirrochroa

Wingspan of adult butterfly : 60-75 mm

Tamil Yeoman butterfly

Tamil Yeoman is the only member of genus Cirrochroa recorded in Sri Lanka. Larval host plants are known as the members of family Flacourtiaceae.
Can be found throughout the island specially up to 1200 meters above sea level and is common in forest areas. The male butterfly feeds on wet soil to intake minerals after mating. It is easy to reach these butterfly when feeding and basking on leafs.

Baron (Euthalia aconthea)

Family : Nymphalidae

Genus : Euthalia

Species : Euthalia aconthea

Wingspan of adult butterfly : 70-75 mm

Larval food plant : Mangifera indica

Location : Divulapitiya, Western province, Sri Lanka

Baron : Male

Common sailor (Neptis hylas)

Genus: Neptis Fabricius, 1807
Species: hylas Linnaeus, 1758
Subspecies: papaja Moore, 1875

Wingspan : 50mm

Common Sailor butterfly

Danaid Eggfly (Hypolimnas misippus)

Family : Nymphalidae

Sub-family: Nymphalinae

Genus : Hypolimnas

Local host plants : Minnie Root (Ruellia tuberosa, Acanthaceae), Chinese Violet (Asystasia gangetica, Acanthaceae)

Location : Divulapitiya, Sri Lanka. 

Danaid Eggfly

Leopard (Phalanta phalantha phalantha)

Family : Nymphalidae

Genus : Phalanta

Species : P. phalantha

Wingspan : 50-55mm

Local host plants : Uguressa [S] (Flacourtia indica), (Flacourtia jangomas), (Flacourtia inermis)

Location : Divulapitiya, Sri Lanka

Camera : Nikon D3100, 18-55mm

Leopard butterfly; new born

Peacock Pansy (Junonia almana)

Family: Nymphalidae

Genus: Junonia

Species: J. almana

Wingspan: 54-62 mm

Local host plant: Ruellia tuberosa (Acanthaceae)

Location: Divulapitiya, Sri Lanka

Camera : Nikon D3100 with 18-55 mm lens

Peacock Pansy

Grey Pansy (Junonia atlites atlites)

Family : Nymphalidae
Genus : Junonia
Species : J. atlites
Wingspan         : 55-65 mm
Local host plant: Chinese Violet (Asystasia gangetica)

Location : Divulapitiya, Western province, Sri Lanka.
Camera : Nikon D3100 with 18-55mm lens

Grey Pansy

Tawny Coster (Acraea terpsicore)

Tawny coster

Family      :   Nymphalidae

Subfamily :   Heliconiinae

Genus      :   Acraea

Species    :   A. terpsicore

Wingspan            : 53-64 mm

Local host Plants : Passiflora foetida