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NeBIO

Vol. 3, No. 3, September 2012, 93-101

Diversity and richness of butterfly fauna in a Home Garden habitat, and its vicinity, Puttalam District in Sri Lanka
D.M.S. Suranjan Karunarathna1, Anushka Kumarasinghe2, Majintha B. Madawala 2, M.A.J. Saman Navaratne1 and Dinesh E. Gabadage3 1 Nature Exploration & Education Team, No: B-1 / G-6, De Soysapura, Morauwa 10400, Sri Lanka 2 Young Zoologists Association, Department of National Zoological Gardens, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka 3 Taprobanica Nature Conservation Society, 150/6, Stanly Thilakaratne MW, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka ABSTRACT This paper describes probably the first ever study of butterflies in the Puttalam area, in the Northwestern coastal in Sri Lanka. This study was carried out over a period of one year and observations were made over 92 field days covering both the wet and dry seasons. We categorized five different habitat types within the home gardens. A variety of butterfly fauna was recorded in a 600 m 2 home garden habitat in an urban area. A total of 3569 individuals belonging to 66 species of butterflies were documented. Among the species recorded in the study site, three are categorized as Vulnerable and six as Near Threatened. Migrations of some butterfly species were observed for the first time in the Northwestern dry zone. Further detailed studies on managed landscapes such as home gardens may be useful towards the conservation of butterfly fauna. Keywords: Conservation, Butterflies, Decline, Dryzone, Microhabitats, Sri Lanka

The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka comprise one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world (Bossuyt et al., 2004; Meegaskumbura et al., 2002). But unfortunately natural forests in the island are rapidly diminishing as a result of the expansion of human settlements and agricultural land, creating numerous adverse impacts on the rich biodiversity (Bambaradeniya et al., 2003; Senanayake et al., 1977). The total extent of natural forest cover in Sri Lanka constitutes over 12% of the total land area (Tan, 2005). As they are visibly attractive and colorful, the butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) form an easily recognizable biotic component of the ecosystem (Asela et al., 2006). The role of the butterflies in an ecosystem is not limited only as herbivores, but also as important pollinators (De Vries, 1979). Besides their attractiveness, butterflies are of interest because they can also be used to monitor environmental conditions including climatic changes (Tati-Subahar et al., 2007). Changes in abundance of butterflies may indicate change in habitat conditions and also the type of elevation (Kunte, 2006).The contribution of butterflies, as well
Author for correspondence D.M.S. Suranjan Karunarathna Email: dmsameera@gmail.com
NECEER, Imphal

as of other insects, to the rich biodiversity in the island has been relatively underestimated or neglected over the past. The butterflies are an extremely diverse group of charismatic insects in Sri Lanka, which forms a major component in islands biodiversity (Asela et al., 2009). In Sri Lanka there are 244 species of butterflies belonging to 5 families; out of them 20 (8.19%) species are endemic, and more subspecies are also unique to Sri Lanka (Dabrera, 1998; Perera and Bambaradeniya, 2006; Van der Poorten, 2009; Woodhouse, 1952). Of the total butterfly species in the island, 21 are categorized as critically endangered, while 29 endangered, 16 vulnerable and 53 near threatened in the national list of threatened fauna and flora (IUCN-SL and MENR-SL, 2007). Furthermore, conservation status of 29 species of butterflies has not been evaluated, due to the lack of adequate data. The butterfly fauna in the Puttalam area has not been studied previously. Consequently, the main objective of the present study was to identify the butterflies in Puttalam area.

Diversity and richness of butterflies in a Home-garden, Puttalam District in Sri Lanka

Karunarathna et al

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Study Area The study was conducted in a home garden (70 59` 43.52``N and 790 50` 31.46`` E) which is located in outer periphery of the Puttalam municipality, in Puttalam District (Figure 1). The Puttalam city is in the Dry Zone of the northwestern lowlands of Sri Lanka, and has a moderately hot and dry climate. The vegetation in this region has been classified as Tropical dry mixed evergreen forest areas (Gunatilleke and Gunatilleke, 1990). The mean annual temperature recorded at the Puttalam observatory is ~29 0C. The average relative humidity is 55% and is highest in December. The annual rainfall for the area is around 1000 1500 mm. The home garden is approximately 600m2 in size, and the elevation is 5m above the mean sea level. Vegetation is mainly composed of tree species such as Terminalia arjuna (Kumbuk), Muntingia calabura (Jam), Mangifera indika (Amb), Feronia limonia (Diwul), Syzygium cumini (Mdan), Cocos nucifera (Pol) and Sesbania grandiflora (Katuru-murunga). The shrub species such as Punica granatum (Delum), Cassia auriculata (Ranawara), Psidium guajava (Pra), Calotropis gigantea (Wara), Zizyphus rugosa (Eraminiya), Anacardium occidentale (kaju), Bryophyllum calycinum (Akkapana), Lantana camera (Ganda-pana), Accacia leucophloea (Katu andara), Citrus limon (Dehi) and Ixora coccinea (Ratmal) were commonly found in the area. Some herbaceous and vines plants include Trianthema portulacastrum (Srana), Sida acuta (Bavila), Tylophora indica (Binnuga), Derris scandens (Kal wel), Leucas zeylanica (Tumba), Oldenlandia umbellate (Saya), Tridax procumbens (Wasu sudu), Sasbania bispinosa, Synedrella nodiflora and Abrus precatorius (Olinda).

Materials and Methods The study was carried out over a period of one year starting from 4th January 2009 to 28th December 2009. Observations were made over 92 days (8 days per month), spending six hours per day, consisting of two sessions of 3 hours each; 0630 hr to 0930 hr in the morning and 1430 hr to 1730 hr in the afternoon. General area surveys were carried out in different sub-habitat types within the home garden. The Shady grassland (SGL), Open grassland mixed with vines (OGV), Shady shrub and bushes (SSB), Open shrub and bushes (OSB), and Tree tops >5m (TRT) were identified as diverse micro habitats. Principal methodology used during the assessment was Visual Encounter Survey (VES) by random field visits. The field examinations were evenly carried out during both dry and wet seasons. Identification of butterflies was done in the field, and photographs were taken for further verification. Smaller butterflies were caught using a hand net for the purpose of taxonomic identification and the specimens were released to the same habitat from where it was caught. Importantly none of the specimens were damaged during its classification process. Also some tiny butterflies were closely observed after placing them in a small clear glass bottle. None of the specimens were collected or preserved during the research as of conservation precedence. The species were identified using following published field guides; Banks and Banks (1985), Gamage (2007), Dabrera (1998) and Woodhouse (1952). Food plants and host plants of butterflies were identified using Ashton et al. (1997), De Vlas and De Jong (2008) and plant nomenclature is based on Senaratna (2001). Threatened categories follow the 2007 national red list (IUCN-SL and MENR-SL, 2007). Results and Discussions During the survey 3569 individuals of butterflies were recorded from the Puttalam study site over a twelve-month period. The individual richness was high in May 10.78% (n=361), June 10.33% (n=346) and December 10.24% (n=342), where small showers of rain occurred. But individual numbers are lower in November 6.60% (n=221), October 6.75% (n=226) and September 7.80% (n=261), probably due to the dry climate conditions (Figure 2). Following mentioned families have been recorded in under mentioned percentages; Papilionidae 16.05% (n=573), Pieridae 20.23% (n=722), Nymphalidae
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Figure 1. Map showing the urban area in Puttalama town and study home gardens (source: google map, 2010).

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Diversity and richness of butterflies in a Home-garden, Puttalam District in Sri Lanka

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24.29% (n=867), Lycaenidae 30.51% (n=1089) and Hesperiidae 8.91% (n=318) respectively. These families included 66 species and of them one was endemic. The 66 species of butterflies recorded during the study represents 27.16% of the total Sri Lankan butterfly fauna described to date (Table 1). The species diversity within the families such as, Papilionidae 15.15% (n=10), Pieridae 15.15% (n=10), Nymphalidae 34.85% (n=23), Lycaenidae 27.271% (n=18) and Hesperiidae 7.58% (n=5) respectively. Among the species recorded, three are listed as Vulnerable, while six species are considered as Near Threatened. The endemic species recorded is Troides darsius (Ceylon birdwing), which is known as the largest butterfly in the island (Perera and Bambaradeniya, 2006).

A
18 16 14

No. of Species

12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Hesperiidae

Families

Figure 4. Species diversity of families within the microhabitat (Abbreviation: A- Shady grassland, B- Open grassland mixed with vines, C- Shady scrub and bushes, DOpen scrub and bushes and E- Tree tops >5m).

Papilionidae
160 140 120

Pieridae

Nymphalidae

Lycaenidae

Hesperiidae

No. of Individuals

100 80 60 40 20 0

November

Months

Figure 2. Individual diversity of the Butterflies families in twelve months period of 2009 in Puttalama.

September

December

March

June

February

October

May

January

April

July

August

Figure 5. Front side view of the home gardens in Puttalama.

Papilionidae
18 16 14

Pieridae

Nymphalidae

Lycaenidae

Hesperiidae

No. of Species

12 10 8 6 4 2 0

November

Months

September

December

March

June

February

October

May

January

April

July

August

Figure 3. Species diversity of the Butterflies families in twelve months period of 2009 in Puttalama.

Figure 6. Shady areas of the home gardens in Puttalama.

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Table 1. Systematic list of the Butterflies recorded from the Home garden in Puttalama 2009 (threatened categories were given by according to IUCN-SL and MENR-SL, 2007).
No. Species name Family - Papilionidae 1 Troides darsius 2 Pachliopta hector 3 Pachliopta aristolochiae 4 Papilio domoleus 5 Papilio polytes 6 Papilio polymnestor 7 Graphium sarpedon 8 Graphium doson 9 Graphium agamemnon 10 Pathysa nomius Family - Pieridae 11 Leptosia nina 12 Delias eucharis 13 Belenois aurota 14 Cepora nerissa 15 Hebomoia glaucippe 16 Catopsilia pyranthe 17 Catopsilia pomona 18 Pareronia ceylanica 19 Colotis amata 20 Colotis etrida Family - Nymphalidae 21 Eurema hecabe 22 Eurema blanda 23 Tirumala limniace 24 Danaus chrysippus 25 Danaus genutia 26 Euploea core 27 Ariadne merione 28 Cethosia nietneri 29 Junonia lemonias 30 Junonia atlites 31 Junonia iphita 32 Junonia almana 33 Hypolimnas bolina 34 Hypolimnas misippus 35 Neptis hylas 36 Euthalia aconthea 37 Acraea violae 38 Melanitis leda 39 Orsotriaena medus 40 Mycalesis perseus 41 Nissanga patnia 42 Ypthima ceylonica 43 Elymnias hypermnestra Family - Lycaenidae 44 Spalgis epeus 45 Curetis thetis 46 Arhopala amantes 47 Zesius chrysomallus 48 Loxura atymnus 49 Rathinda amor 50 Spindasis vulcanus 51 Rapala manea 52 Jamides bochus 53 Jamides celeno 54 Lampides boeticus 55 Syntarucus plinius 56 Castalius rosimon 57 Freyeria trochilus 58 Talicada nyseus 59 Euchrysops cnejus 60 Chilades lajus 61 Abisara echerius Family - Hesperiidae 62 Badamia exclamationis 63 Hasora chromus 64 Suastus gremius 65 Spalia galba 66 Telicota colon Author citation Gray, 1852 Linnaeus, 1758 Fabricius, 1775 Linnaeus, 1758 Linnaeus, 1758 Cramer, 1775 Linnaeus, 1758 Felder,1864 Linnaeus, 1758 Esper, 1784 Fabricius, 1793 Drury,1773 Fabricius,1793 Fabricius, 1775 Linnaeus, 1758 Linnaeus, 1758 Fabricus, 1775 Felder, 1865 Fabricius, 1775 Boisduval, 1836 Linnaeus, 1764 Boisduval, 1836 Cramer,1775 Linnaeus, 1758 Cramer, 1779 Cramer, 1779 Cramer,1777 Felder, 1867 Linnaeus, 1758 Linnaeus, 1758 Cramer, 1779 Linnaeus, 1758 Linnaeus, 1756 Linnaeus, 1758 Linnaeus, 1758 Cramer, 1777 Fabricius, 1807 Linnaeus, 1763 Fabricius, 1775 Fabricius, 1775 Moore,1857 Hewitson, 1864 Linnaeus, 1763 Westwood, 1851 Drury, 1773 Hewitson, 1862 Hubner, 1819 Stoll, 1780 Fabricius, 1775 Fabricius,1775 Hewitson, 1863 Stoll, 1782 Cramer, 1775 Linnaeus, 1758 Fabricius, 1793 Fabricius, 1775 Freyer, 1845 Guerin, 1843 Fabricius, 1798 Stoll, 1780 Stoll, 1790 Fabricius Cramer Moore Fabricius Evans Common name Ceylon birdwing Crimson rose Common rose Lime butterfly Common mormon Blue mormon Blue bottle Common jay Tailed jay Spot swordtail Psyche Jezebel Pioneer Common gull Great orange tip Mottled emigrant Lemon emigrant Dark wanderer Small salmon arab Little orange tip Common grass yellow Three-spot grass yellow Blue tiger Plain tiger Common tiger Common crow Common castor Ceylon lace wing Lemon pansy Grey pansy Chocolate soldier Peacock pansy Great eggfly Danaid eggfly Common sailor Baron Tawny costor Common evening brown Nigger Common bushbrown Gladeye bushbrown White four-ring Common palmfly Apefly Indian sunbeam Large oakblue Redspot Yamfly Monkey-puzzle Common silverline Slate flash Dark cerulean Common cerulean Pea blue Zebra blue Common pierrot Grass jewel Red pierrot Gram blue Lime blue Plum Judy Brown awl Common banded awl Indian palm bob Indian skipper Pale palmdart Local name Maha kurulu piya papiliya Maha rosa papilia Podu rosa papilia Kaha papilia Kalu papilia Maha nilaya Nil papilia podu papilia Kola papilia Thith kaga-waligaya Kalu-thith sudda Podu Maha-sudda Thambiliwan sudana Podu Punduru-sudana Yoda sudana Thith-piya piyasariya Kaha piyasariya Anduru nil piyasariya Punchi rosa sudana Heen sudana Maha kahakolaya Thun-thith kahakolaya Podu nil-kotithiya Podu koti-thambiliya Iri Koti-thambiliya Podu kaka-kotithiyaya Podu pathan-sariya Lanka seda-piyapatha Dumburuwan alankarikya Aluwan alankarikya Podu alankarikya Monera alankarikya Maha alankarikya Kela alankarikya Gomara selaruwa Achchilaya Thambily panduru-boraluwa Podu dumburuwa Maha-iri panduru-dumburuwa Podu panduru-dumburuwa Visithuru panduru-dumburuwa Podu heen-dumburuwa Podu thal-dumburuwa Wanduru nilaya Maha hiru-nilaya Maha gas-nilaya Rathu-thith gas-nilaya Kaha gas-nilaya Visituru vanduru nilaya Podu ridee-nilaya Anduru kiranaya Anduruwan seru-nilaya Podu seru-nilaya Maha iri mal-nilaya Raja iri-neelaya Podu mal-nilaya Ran thruna-nilaya Rathu panduru-nilaya Maha panu-nilaya Podu panu-nilaya Kela rathambalaya Microhabitat D,E D D B,D,E B,D,E D,E D,E D,E D,E D A,B,C,D C,D,E B,D,E B,D D,E C,D,E C,D,E D,E B,D B,D B,C,D B,C,D C,D,E C,D C,D C,E A,B,C,D B,C,D B,D B,D B,C,D B,D D D D,E C,E A,B,C,D A,C A,C A,C A,C B,D A,C C,D D,E C,D,E D,E A,B,C,D C,D B,D B,D B,C,D B,D,C B,D B,D B,D A,B C,D B,D B,D A,C B,D D,E A,B,C,D B,D B,D,E Status NT

NT

NT NT

NT NT

VU

VU VU

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Figure 7. A. Common rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae), B. Lime butterfly (Papilio domoleus), C. Psyche (Leptosia nina), D. Jezebel (Delias eucharis), E. Pioneer (Belenois aurota), F. Common cerulean (Jamides celeno), G. Mottled emigrant (Catopsilia pyranthe), H. Small salmon arab (Colotis amata), I. Little orange tip (Colotis etrida), J. Three-spot grass yellow (Eurema blanda), K. Blue tiger (Tirumala limniace), L. Common crow (Euploea core), M. Ceylon lace wing (Cethosia nietneri), N. Peacock pansy (Junonia almana), O. Tawny costor (Acraea viola).

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Figure 8. A. Common bushbrown (Mycalesis perseus), B. White four-ring (Ypthima ceylonica), C. Common palmfly (Elymnias
hypermnestra), D. Large oakblue (Arhopala amantes), E. Yamfly (Loxura atymnus), F. Monkey-puzzle (Rathinda amor), G. Common Silverline (Spindasis vulcanus), H. Slate Flash (Rapala manea), I. Dark Cerulean (Jamides bochus), J. Pea Blue (Lampides boeticus), K. Zebra Blue (Syntarucus plinius), L. Common Pierrot (Castalius rosimon), M. Grass Jewel (Freyeria trochilus), N. Red pierrot (Castalius rosimon), O. Gram Blue (Euchrysops cnejus), P. Lime Blue (Chilades lajus), Q. Common Banded Awl (Hasora chromus), R. Indian Palm Bob (Suastus gremius), S. Pale Palmdart (Telicota colon).

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Diversity and richness of butterflies in a Home-garden, Puttalam District in Sri Lanka

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Table 2. Number of species and families of the Butterflies in different micro habitat types in Putalama (Abbreviations: SGL - the Shady grassland; OGV - open grassland mixed with vines; SSB - shady shrub and bushes; OSB - open shrub and bushes and TRT - tree tops).
Microhabitats SGL OGV SSB OSB TRT No. of Species 12 (7.89%) 32 (21.05%) 29 (19.08%) 57 (37.50%) 22 (14.47%) No. of Individuals 641 (17.96%) 905 (25.36%) 752 (21.07%) 852 (23.87%) 419 (11.74%) No. of Families 4 (80%) 5 (100%) 4 (80%) 5 (100%) 5 (100%) No. of Endemics 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 1 (100%) 1 (100%)

Table 3. Number of Individuals were recorded each families of the Butterflies in different micro habitat types in Putalama (Abbreviations: SGL - the Shady grassland; OGV - open grassland mixed with vines; SSB - shady shrub and bushes; OSB - open shrub and bushes and TRT - tree tops).
Microhabitats OSB SGL SSB TRT OGV Papilionidae 153 106 129 37 148 Pieridae 223 151 144 89 115 Nymphalidae 212 173 135 129 218 Lycaenidae 189 155 277 132 336 Hesperiidae 75 56 67 32 88 Total 852 641 752 419 905 Proportion 23.87 17.96 21.07 11.74 25.36

The species richness become high in May 10.15% (n=53), June 9.77% (n=51), August 9.39% (n=49) and stream to the July and April, then after that it decreases gradually (Figure 3). But individual numbers are lower in December 6.51% ( n=34), November 6.70% (n=35) and March 7.28% (n=38) we believe it could be dry condition and wind speed. Usually, a large number of butterfly species can be seen in the month of May and typically soon after the short spells of rain. Months from February to May are the flowering and fruiting season in the region. In such months occasional showers are common. Several larval food plants of the butterfly Family Danaidae and Papilionidae recorded for the first time by Van der Poorten and van der Poorten (2011a,b) were present in this home garden. The species such as Papilio domoleus, Papilio polytes, Graphium doson, Leptosia nina, Delias eucharis, Catopsilia pyranthe, Colotis amata, Eurema hecabe, Danaus chrysippus, Junonia atlites, Acraea violae, Melanitis leda, Ypthima ceylonica and Telicota colon to mention a few were commonly seen, while Troides darsius, Pathysa nomius, Hebomoia glaucippe, Pareronia ceylanica, Cethosia nietneri, Syntarucus plinius and Badamia exclamationis were very rare or found to be seasonal. The diversity and abundance of species is highly correlated with the availability of food plants in the surroundings (Kunte, 2000) and therefore, more studies will help the management and conservation of biodiversity in home gardens. The highest species richness occurred in open shrub and bushes 37.50% (n=57) followed by open grassland mixed with vine 21.05% (n=32), shady

shrub and bushes 19.08% (n=29) and tree tops 14.47% (n=22) respectively. Whereas, shady grassland habitats had the lowest species diversity 7.89% (n=12) (Figure 4). Representation from the family Hesperiidae was very less compared to the proportion of Sri Lankan hesperid butterflies (Table 2). It could be partly due to the sampling bias, since hesperids exhibit crepuscular habit. Hesperiidae butterflies are active early morning and to a lesser extent in the evening (Woodhouse, 1952). They are also seen active in daytime under the shade of the jungle or out in the open during cloudy weather (Kunte, 2006). Highest number of hesperids 100 % (n=5) was recorded in open shrub and bushes habitat, while lowest hesperids 20 % (n=1) were recorded in two different habitats (shady grassland / shady shrub and bushes habitat). A good butterfly garden must therefore carry a mix of larval host plant that can be grown successfully in a given geographical area (van der Poorten and van der Poorten, 2008). In many instances, agricultural plantations have replaced indigenous vegetation with monoculture plantations and it has been found that butterfly species diversity is considerably lower in such areas compared to natural forests (Karunarathna et al., 2011). This home garden is a paradise for butterflies; because, they do not apply any agro-chemicals and do not create fires in this home garden. Lowest number of Pierids 10% (n=1) were observed in shady grassland, lowest Nymphalids 17.39% (n=4) and Lycaenids 16.66% (n=3) were recorded in tree tops. Even though, highest number of Nymphalids 69.56% (n=16) were recorded from two habitats (shady shrub
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and bushes / open shrub and bushes), and highest number of Lycaenids 88.88% (n=16) observed only in open shrub and bushes habitat. Most common flowering plants and herbs species recorded in the site were Syzygiun cumini (Mdan), Muntingia calabura (Jam), Mangifera indika (Amb), Derris scandens (Kal wel), Leucas zeylanica (Tumba), Oldenlandia umbellate (Saya), Trianthema portulacastrum (Srana), Tridax procumbens (Wasu sudu), Sasbania bispinosa, Lantana camera (Gandapana), Sida acuta (Bavila), Synedrella nodiflora, Ixora coccinea (Ratmal) and Bougainvillea. According to microhabitats and individual relationship presented in Table 3, the highest individuals richness occurred in open grassland mixed with vines 25.36% (n=905), open scrub and bushes 23.87% (n=852), shady scrub and bushes 21.07% (n=752) and the lowest individuals recoded from tree top 11.74% (n=419). Comparison of species richness with several other available data in the island (e.g., Asela et al., 2006, 2009; Bambaradeniya and Ekanayake, 2003; Bambaradeniya et al., 2006; Karunarathna et al., 2008; Perera et al., 2005) reveals that current study site has a moderate diversity of butterflies, second only to forest habitats. It is important to mention that some butterfly species were observed during its migration towards south. Further they are only recorded as small groups of 10-20 individuals. Such species includes Papilio domoleus (Lime butterfly), Graphium sarpedon (Blue bottle), Hebomoia glaucippe (Great orange tip), Euploea core (Common crow), Catopsilia pyranthe (Mottled emigrant) and Catopsilia Pomona (Lemon emigrant). Despite a very small area, this home garden is rich in butterfly fauna, representing all the families of butterflies recorded in the island. Conservation at national level requires a legal framework, within which it can be enforced and furnish comprehensive understanding of the ecology of butterflies (Van der Poorten and Van der Poorten, 2008). The air pollution and pesticides usage of the area may cause the decline of the diversity of butterflies compared to the forest habitats. Several records of butterflies and cocoon smuggling were recorded in Sri Lanka (Gunasekara, 2002). Hence, enhancing the awareness of general public on butterfly conservation will be crucial. Many 'common' butterfly species have undergone serious declines and are in need of greater attention.

Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank Dr. Channa Bambaradeniya for reviewing this manuscript and valuable ideas provided to us; Mr. Naalin perera, Mr. Sarath Ekanayake, Mr. Dilup Chandranimal, Mr. Prasanna Samarawickrama (IUCN Sri Lanka) and Mr. Himesh Jayasinghe and Mr. Niranjan Karunarathna (YZA) for their kind help during the butterfly and floral identification. Also we would like to thanks Mr. Asanka Udayakumara, Mr. Panduka Silva, Mr. Tiran Abeyawardane (YZA) and Mr. Mendis Wickramasinghe (HFS) for their kind support during the field visits and other courtesies.
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