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Common Name : Common Pierrot     -       Scientific Name : Castalius rosimon       -       Other Name : Konangiya (S), Thith Konngiya (S)
Hunuwilagama
03/28/2014
Hunuwilagama
03/23/2014

This is a tiny butterfly of the Nymphalidae family found in South Asia. Other than in Sri Lanka it is found in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Nicobar Islands and the Andaman Islands.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (National Red List 2012) and it is protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

This is a species that is commonly found up to an altitude of about 1600 meters through out the country. It is common in the wet zone as well as in the dry lowlands. I have observed it at Dolukanda, Kurunegala, Giritale, Nawadankulama, Ratnapura, Balangoda, Belohuloya and Anawilundawa.  It is an obliging species that would generally permit one to get very close while feeding. These dainty little butterflies feeding on delicate small flowers offer a great opportunity to capture an attractive butterfly photo. However the character of the photograph will be greatly heightened if the photographer is at the same level with the butterfly. I have photographed this species on plants such as Wathu Sudu Tridax procumbens Monara Kudumbiya Vernonia cinerea.

It usually becomes active during midday and would visit its favourite feeding plants. Heen Eraminiya Ziziphus oenoplia, Eraminiya Ziziphus napech and Masan Ziziphus mauritiana are the host plants of this species.

In Wilpattu I have observed this species at Hunuwilagama, Pukkulama, and Kali Villu.