Abstract:
Although, butterflies are a group of charismatic insects, their behaviors have been rather
poorly documented in Sri Lanka. Thus, present study investigated the active time period,
spatial distribution in different strata of vegetation and nectar plants of butterflies in the
Kiralakelle, an important wetland in Matara District. Four butterfly trails were selected and
study was done based on butterfly’s flying activity and their resting behavior, from 7.00 to
18.00 hours in a day, continuously twice a month from June to December in year 2008.
Out of recorded 24 species of butterflies, only 3 butterfly species namely Banded Blue
Pierrot (Discolampa ethion ethion), Common Mormon (Papilio polytes romulus) and
Common Pierrot (Castalius rosimon) were active in the whole day, from 8.00 to 16.30
hours. Activity times of other butterfly species were varied throughout the day. Results of
spatial distribution of butterflies revealecf that, the highest number of butterfly species was
distributed in the ground level stratum (<lm) when compared to other strata. Danaids
butterflies were found mostly in middle level strata, wnile Pierids, Nymphalids and
Papilionids butterflies occurred both in middle and high layers. There was a significantly
positive correlation ( r = 0.816, P<0.05) between recorded overall abundance of butterflies
and nectar plants in each trail in Kiralakelle wetland. These findings will be helpful to give
a better idea about behavior patterns of butterflies in Kiralakelle wetland and for future
researchers to conduct conservation plan in that valuable site.
