v3i1.44

ISSN: 1800-427X (print)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v3i1.44

Submitted date: 29 December 2010
Accepted date: 29 June 2011
Published date: 30 July 2011
Pp. 44–46.

Two rare butterfly species observed from two isolated forest patches in Kalutara District, Sri Lanka

D.M.S.S. Karunarathna*, R.G.A.T.S. Wickramarachchi, D.H.P.U. Silva & U.T.I. Abeywardena
*Corresponding author. E-mail: dmsameera@gmail.com

Butterflies are a group of charismatic insects, which forms a major component of Sri Lankan biodiversity. The total butterfly species recorded in Sri Lanka consists of 244 species and among them 20 (8.1%) are endemic to the island. Overall, 22 butterfly species are critically endangered, 29 endangered and 15 vulnerable and insufficient data are available for rating the status of 29 species. The distribution and ecology of butterflies, as well as of other insects, has been underestimated or neglected over the last few decades in Sri Lanka. Here we extend the distribution of two endangered butterflies in Sri Lanka.

Section Editor: Jeffrey Miller