Learn about Butterfly

Butterflies have a complete life cycle comprising of four stages; namely, egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis) and adult (imago) and also have bodies with three divisions. The head includes the antennae, eyes, and mouth parts. The thorax includes two pairs of wings and three pairs of legs. The abdomen, with ten distinct segments, contains breathing pores and digestive and reproductive organs. Size varies from species to species. In Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Birdwing is the National butterfly of Sri Lankan and also largest found in the country. Its size is about 150-180mm. Grass Jewel is the Smallest butterfly in Sri Lanka. With a size about14-18 mm.

Butterflies feed on flower nectar. Some species also draw nourishment from pollen, rotting fruit, dung, tree sap, decaying flesh, and dissolved materials in wet sand and dirt. Butterflies play a pivotal environmental role in that they act as pollinators of plants. But Larva is the main feeding stage of the butterfly’s life cycle. Nearly all caterpillars are considered to be herbivores and they spend most of their time devouring food. Butterflies select specific plant species to lay their eggs and the larval stage completely depends on the particular Host Plant to complete their life cycle.

In situ propagation of butterflies was attempted through establishment of a butterfly garden in a 26 perch degraded urban area within the MJF Centre premises in Moratuwa. In just one year this butterfly garden has become home to 38 species of butterflies. The Butterfly Garden is used to promote awareness of nature and environmental sustainability and to help the conservation efforts of butterflies in Sri Lanka.

Given the nature of the butterflies and the huge variety in which they are present, butterflies can be found throughout the country although varying in density by region. Their distribution can be listed under 6 main areas.

Low Country Wet Zone – South Western sector of the country is characterised by a rainfall of 2500 mm to over 5000 mm. The forests have a luxuriant growth with a high proportion of endemic plant species. They support many endemic butterfly species as well.

Central Hill Zone – The central part of Sri Lanka which is above 900 m in elevation. Rain fall exceeds 1800 mm and temperature is about 15°C. The butterfly diversity of this zone is very low.

Intermediate Zone – Transitional zone between the plains and hills. The climate gradually changes from wet in the hill zone to dry. Rainfall ranges from 1800 to 2500 mm .This zone has very rich butterfly diversity.

Low Country Dry Zone – It covers around three quarters of the total land extent in Sri Lanka. Rainfall ranges from 1270 to 1900 mm and is dry most of the year. This zone has very rich butterfly diversity.

Arid Zone (South) – south-eastern sectors. Rainfall is less than 1250 mm per year. The forests are open with thorny scrub and isolated trees.

Arid Zone (North) – Found in the North-Western with a rainfall less than 1250 mm per year. The forests are open with thorny scrub and isolated trees.

In situ propagation of butterflies was attempted through the establishment of a butterfly garden in a 26 perch degraded urban area within the MJF Centre premises in Moratuwa. In just one year this butterfly garden has become home to 38 species of butterflies. The Butterfly Garden is used to promote awareness of nature and environmental sustainability and to help the conservation efforts of butterflies in Sri Lanka.