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Ceylon Silverline
Description
A small 'blue' with a wingspan of 25-30 mm. The sexes are similar but there is great deal of variation in the size and intensity of the markings between dry and wet season forms. The gorgeous brilliant shot-blue on the upper side of the hind wings of male is unmistakable. It is entirely lacking in the female. The shot-blue always extends to the lower margin of the forewing in varying degrees - in the wet season forms it stops at vein 1 while in the dry season forms it may extend all the way to vein 3. The orange markings on the upper side of the forewings are also variable, being largest in the wet season and smallest or absent in the dry season. This is the most variable of all Silverlines in the island.
Similar species
Common Silverline and Plumbeous Silverline. More information.
Status, distribution and habitat
A common butterfly of the dry and intermediate zones. It is also found in the drier hills of the Uva. Its habitat is principally the open spaces of scrub jungle. It is the commonest Silverline in Yala National park.
Habits
This is an exceptionally fast butterfly on the wing and is hard to follow once air-borne. Once settled it can be approached quite closely. The males often sits on a twig or the edge of a leaf, sometimes a few inches above ground, and wait for females to come by. At the first sign of a female, it takes to the air explosively from its perch in pursuit. After a brief chase, if unsuccessful in initiating courtship, it comes back to settle on a perch near by. General information.
Early stages
Unknown.
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