v13i1.323

ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v13i1.323

Submitted date: 19 September 2023
Accepted date: 30 April 2024
Published date: 30 May 2024
Pp. 28-29.

Tracking the migration of Albatross butterflies (Appias sp) in Sri Lanka

P.K. Dissanayake*, R. Gamage2, R.W.D.L. Kumara, N. Weerasinghe, D.M.N.P. Daundasekara, H.S.B. Wijesinghe & S.K. Gunatilake
*Corresponding author. E-mail: kapila@agri.sab.ac.lk

Among insects, butterfly migration is an eye-catching behaviour that occurs around the world. The mass migration of butterflies is little understood. In Sri Lanka, mass migrations of butterflies were recorded in the past, but they are now rare. Although those large migrations have not been observed during the past decades, more isolated small migrations do still occur occasionally. However, no definite direction of flight has been identified for these migrations except for point observations of directions. It is unclear in most instances where the butterfly migrations in Sri Lanka begin and end. Therefore, here we report observations on the migrations of two butterflies, the lesser Albatross (Appias galene Felder & Felder, 1865) and common Albatross (A. albina swinhoei Moore, 1905) during the inter-monsoonal period from March to April 2023. Observations were made at 60 random locations to determine the starting point and the directions of migration.

Section Editor: David G. James