5.

Common grass yellow butterfly (Eurema hecabe):

Eurema hecabe
Eurema hecabe is a beautiful yellow butterfly. They have a wingspan of 35 to 45 mm. Common
Grass Yellow butterflies are small in size. They have bright yellow wings, with blackish brown
bordering on the upper side and the underside of the wings are paler yellow with brown speckles.
They have a narrow black band on the hind wing. They have different coloration in their wings
depending on the season. Males have a band lying along the cubital vein on the forewing
underside. The female is larger and a paler yellow, with broader black but diffused markings on
the upper sides of both wings. There are typically two cell spots on the fore-wing, a characteristic
that is mainly used to identify the lookalike species in the genus. In the larvae stage the color of
body is dull green with a white line edged with yellow, and the color of head is green. The larvae
of this species feed on a variety of plants and grasses, depending on the region, although they
often include plants from Euphorbiaceae, the family of spurges, and Fabaceae, the family of
legumes, peas and beans. In the pupa stage the length of body is between 16 to 22 mm. The pupa
has a pointed head and a keeled wing pad, and its body is mostly unmarked except for a faint
pale brownish and narrow dorsal band. Ordinarily the pupa is solitary and green, but sometimes
on a twig in large numbers.

6. Grey count butterfly (Tanaecia lepidea):

Tanaecia lepidea, the grey count, is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in South and
Southeast Asia. Found in the lower Himalayas eastwards from Almora. In the Western Ghats,
central India, Orissa, Bengal and into Assam and the Malay Peninsula. Found in forested
habitats.

Tanaecia lepidea
Upperside dark brown, paler in the female, with very obscure black markings of transverse lines
across the cells of both forewings and hindwings and an oblique discal fascia on the forewing; an
ash-grey continuous band along the termen of both forewings and hindwings, gradually
broadening from the apex of the forewing, where it is very narrow, to the tornus of the hindwing,
where it covers about one-third of the wing. In the female this band is outwardly narrowly
bordered with brown. Cilia white. Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen dark brown above;
beneath, the antennae ochraceous, the rest dusky white washed with ochraceous. Underside:
Male ochraceous brown, female bright ochraceous. In both sexes the colours paler on the
hindwing; the forewing somewhat narrowly, the hindwing much more broadly suffused with
lilacine-grey on the terminal margins and along the dorsal margin of the hindwing; cells of both
wings with dark brown sinuous transverse lines and looplike markings; both forewings and
hindwings crossed by somewhat diffuse broad discal and narrower postdiscal dark bands,
prominent on the forewing, obscure on the hindwing. Male with a patch of specialized dark
scales above vein 4 on the upperside of the hindwing. Larva: of the usual Euthalia form; colour
green with a dorsal row of light red ocelli with blue centres; spines tipped with yellow. Pupa:
more narrowed at the head than E. garuda, green, all the points golden tipped with black, and a
few large spots of gold between. Food plants include Melastoma malabathricum and Planchonia
careya.
7. Common sailor butterfly (Neptis hylas):

Neptis hylas
Neptis hylas, the common sailor, is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in the Indian
subcontinent and southeast Asia. It has a characteristic stiff gliding flight achieved by short and
shallow wingbeats just above the horizontal. Dry-season form - Upperside black, with pure white
markings. Forewing discoidal streak clavate (club shaped), apically truncate, subapically either
notched or sometimes indistinctly divided; triangular spot beyond broad, well defined, acute at
apex, but not elongate; discal series of spots separate, not connate (united), each about twice as
long as broad; postdiscal transverse series of small spots incomplete, but some are always
present. Hindwing: subbasal band of even or nearly oven width; discal and subterminal pale lines
obscure; postdiscal series of spots well separated, quadrate or subquadrate, very seldom narrow.
Underside from pale golden ochraceous to dark ochraceous almost chocolate; white markings as
on the upperside, but broader and defined in black. Forewing: interspaces 1a and 1 from base to
near the apex shaded with black, some narrow transverse white markings on either side of the
transverse postdiscal series of small spots. Hindwing a streak of white on costal margin at base, a
more slender white streak below it; the discal and subterminal pale lines of the upperside
replaced by narrow white lines with still narrower margins of black. Antennae, head, thorax and
abdomen black; the palpi, thorax and abdomen beneath dusky white. Wet-season form - Differs
only in the narrowness of the white markings and in the slightly darker ground colour and
broader black margins to the spots and bands on the underside.
8. Large oakblue (Arhopala amantes):

Arhopala amantes
Arhopala amantes, the large oakblue, is a species of lycaenid or blue butterfly found in Asia.
Arhopala amantes is the largest lycanid. It is surprisingly inconspicuous on the wing despite the
brilliant metallic blue markings on its upperside. In the female, the blue scales are restricted to
the centre and basal part of both wings; the outer margins are marked by a wide black band.
Male: Upperside dark purple-blue, shining in certain lights, coloured somewhat like
Arhopala centaurus pirithous, but brighter blue, costal and outer marginal line black. Cilia black,
tails black, a rather long tail at the end of vein 2, slight projections at the ends of all the other
veins of the hindwing, more pronounced at the ends of veins 1 and 3 than at the ends of the
others. Underside grey suffused with pinkish-brown, the lower portion of forewing pale, the
hindwing darker than the forewing, but varying much in shade of colour, spots and bands
chocolate-brown. Forewing with a small spot in the cell near the base, a larger one in the middle,
four conjoined spots at the end, the third from the upper end minute and sometimes absent, a
discal band of conjoined spots from the costa to vein 2, increasing in size hind wards, the band
slightly outwardly curved, sometimes very nearly straight down, but the middle spot is always a
little outside the others, all these spots and bands edged with bluish-white; a sub-terminal
indistinct brown band and still more indistinct terminal band. Hindwing with four sub-basal
spots, three in a row, the fourth near the abdominal margin, followed by two spots, an outwardly
curved bar at the end of the cell, with dark brown edges, with two spots in an inward curve
below it, a discal outwardly curved irregular band of spots and curves, commencing on the costa
with a large brown patch composed of two squarish spots joined together, a sub-marginal lunular
thick brown line and an anteciliary thinner line, both more or less lunular, the latter edged
outwardly with bluish-white near the anal angle where there is a black spot in the lobe capped
with bluish-white, the bands with indications of very indistinct similar bands between them, a
black terminal line. Antennae black; palpi black above, whitish beneath; head and body blackish-
brown above, grey beneath.
Female: Upperside paler and brighter blue merging into black on the outer parts, forming
broad costal and outer marginal bands on the Forewing, with generally a black spot at the upper
end of the cell; the Hindwing with similar costal and marginal bands, narrowing much in the
middle of the outer margin, then broadening hindwards with some blackish suffusion running up
near the abdominal space, which is pale. Underside as in the male.
It is a butterfly of the canopy of small trees, occasionally coming down to settle on shrubs
and low bushes. It flies about a great deal during the day but often with long periods of resting in
between flights. To rest, it usually selects a leaf exposed to full sun at a considerable height
above ground. The eggs are laid on the leaves of Syzygium, Terminalia and Hopea species. The
larvae and pupae are always attended by red ants. It is not endangered.

9. Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor):

Papilio polymnestor
Papilio polymnestor, the blue Mormon, is a large swallowtail butterfly found in south India and
Sri Lanka. Males have the upper wings rich velvety black. The forewing has a postdiscal band
composed of internervular broad blue streaks gradually shortened and obsolescent anteriorly, not
extended beyond interspace 6. The hindwing has the terminal three-fourths beyond a line
crossing the apical third of the cell pale blue, or greyish blue, with superposed postdiscal,
subterminal and terminal series of black spots—the postdiscal spots elongate, inwardly conical;
the subterminal oval, placed in the interspaces, the terminal irregular, placed along the apices of
the veins and anteriorly coalescing more or less with the subterminal spots. The underside is
black with and on the base of the cell in the forewing is an elongate spot of dark red; the
postdiscal transverse series of streaks as on the upperside but grey tinged with ochraceous and
extended right up to the costa; in some specimens similar but narrow streaks also in the cell.
Hindwing with five irregular small patches of red at base, the outer three-fourths of the wing
grey touched with ochraceous, but generally narrower than the blue on the upperside; the inner
margin of the grey area crosses the wing beyond the cell; the postdiscal and subterminal black
spots as on the upperside. In some specimens this grey area is greatly restricted, its inner margin
crossing the wing well beyond the apex of the cell; the subterminal spots merged completely
with the terminal spots and form a comparatively broad terminal black band. Antennae, head,
thorax and abdomen blackish brown. Female is very similar but the internervular streaks on the
forewing paler, extended into the cell both on the upper and undersides. Hindwing: the pale blue
area on the upperside and the corresponding grey area on the underside paler. In some specimens
there is a diffuse short crimson streak at the base of the cell of the forewing on the upperside.
The butterfly is most common in heavy rainfall areas, such as evergreen forests. It is also
common in deciduous forests and wooded urban areas, primarily due to the cultivation of its host
plants, i.e. the Citrus species. This butterfly frequents forest paths and streams. The male is fond
of sun and avoids the shade.

10. Colour sergeant (Athyma nefte):

Athyma nefte, the colour sergeant, is a species of brush-footed butterfly found in tropical South
and Southeast Asia. Male: upperside black with snow-white markings more or less edged with
irrorations of blue scales. Forewing: discoidal streak obscurely divided and uneven along its
upper margin; a much-curved and broadly interrupted discal band white; the latter composed of
three outwardly oblique quadrate spots in interspaces 1 u 9 1 and 2, and three oblong spots
inclined inwards in interspaces 4, 5 and 6, no spot in interspace 3; beyond this an inner and an
outer subterminal pale line divided by a transverse narrow black band, the former terminating
near apex in an obliquely placed small narrow white spot. Hindwing: the discal band of the
forewing continued as a subbasal transverse white band: a postdiscal, narrower, more or less
macular band also white, and a very distinct pale, still narrower, subterminal band.

Athyma nefte (Male) Athyma nefte (Female)

The interspace between the postdiscal and the subterminal bands darker than the general ground
colour of the wing, and the postdiscal band on the inner side margined with similarly coloured
cone-shaped marks. Underside brown, the white markings as on the upperside but somewhat
diffuse, the interspaces of the ground colour more or less blotched with darker brown, forming
on the hindwing a conspicuous discal transverse series of spots in the interspaces; the dorsal
margin of the hindwing broadly bluish white. Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen above dark
brownish black, the thorax and base of the abdomen respectively crossed by a bar of bluish
white; beneath, the palpi, thorax and abdomen bluish white.
Female: Upperside black, the markings similar to those in the male, but orange-yellow and much
broader; on the forewing the discal band complete, the inner subterminal band much broader and
better defined.Underside: the ground colour a paler brown than in the male, the markings as on
the upperside but pinkish white, the dark brown blotches in the interspaces and the series of dark
discal spots on the hindwing more prominent.

11. Staff sergeant (Athyma selenophora):

Athyma selenophora, the staff sergeant, is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in tropical and
subtropical Asia. The male upperside is black with a forewing that has a discoidal streak deep
red, twice divided, with the apical portion dusky white. Three elongate oval white spots appear in
the interspaces beyond, forming a distinct white band, variable in width, from dorsum to
interspace 3. The staff sergeant features an obscure inner subterminal line of transverse whitish
marks, and another outer subterminal pale line that's even more obscure. The hindwing has a
broad white discal band of the forewing continued across to vein 1, a postdiscal narrow diffuse
pale macular band, and a subterminal pale line; abdominal fold dusky grey; cilia of both
forewings and hindwings black, alternated with white. The underside is bright chestnut red with
the markings as on the upperside but all white, on the terminal portions of the wings diffuse.
Discoidal streak in forewing white, diffuse, more broadly divided; interspace 8 white at base,
with a dark chestnut-red loop below it in interspace 7 crossing into the cellular area; very dark
postdiscal blotches in interspaces 1a, 1 to 3 on forewing; and a series of very dark chestnut-red
marks between discal and postdiscal bands on the hindwing; dorsal margin of hindwing broadly
blue. Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen very dark brown; beneath, the palpi, thorax and
abdomen white faintly tinged with blue.

Athyma selenophora
Female upperside velvety brownish black with white and pale markings, Forewing: the
discoidal streak clavate (club like), twice divided, a large elongate triangular spot beyond apex of
cell; a macular discal band of four large spots inclined outwards from dorsum, and three
obliquely placed spots from beyond the middle of the costa, the lowest spot of these minute, the
next two large, elongate, with a very slender short streak above them on the costa; an inner
subterminal series of transverse spots and an outer subterminal pale incomplete line. Hindwing;
the subbasal broad band widening towards costa; a postdiscal series of large, inwardly bluntly
conical spots and a broad subterminal pale line. Underside as in the male, but the white markings
broader, the ground colour not so bright. Antennae, thorax and abdomen as in the male but the
abdomen with a white transverse band at base. Wingspan 66–72 mm.
12. Yamfly (Loxura atymnus):

Loxura atymnus
Loxura atymnus, the yamfly, is a species of lycaenid or blue butterfly found in Asia. Male:
Uppersicle bright fulvous. Forewing with the apical margin from the middle of the costa
increasingly black, and continued down the outer margin, gradually decreasing in width, the
inner margin of the black band being in an almost continuous curve. Hindwing with a very
narrow, pale ochreous-brown band on the outer margin, some suffusion of this colour being at
the base of both wings and continued down the hindwing (the abdominal fold being similarly
coloured) and to the end of the tail. Underside dark ochreous-yellow, markings pale blackish.
Forewing with two conjoined ring-spots across the middle of the cell, and two similar spots
across the end, both somewhat indistinct, the latter with, sometimes, an indistinct spot alcove it,
near the costa, a discal, nearly straight band of conjoined ring-spots, the middle one double, the
series ending in two black marks in the interno-median interspace, a very indistinct series of sub-
marginal lunules. Hindwing with two sub-basal ring-spots, two in the cell and two at the end, all
very indistinct; a discal band, slightly inwardly curved, composed as in the forewing and an
indistinct submarginal series of lunules, some small brown suffusion at the anal angle and the tail
brown edged. Antennae black, with white dots beneath, club with an orange tip; head and body
brown above, grey beneath. Female: upperside somewhat paler than in the male, the marginal
bands a little broader, the underside similar.

13. Baronet (Euthalia nais):

Euthalia nais, the baronet, is a species of Nymphalid butterfly found in South Asia. The male
and the female both have tawny-yellow uppersides. The forewing has a traverse black line below
apex cell and an oval spot beyond encircling a small yellow spot, a broad short oblique discal bar
and an angulated postdiscal lunular band the costa narrowly and the termen shaded with black.

Euthalia nais
Hindwing: a comparatively large triangular patch below the middle of the costa, a postdiscal
evenly curved series of spots and a broad band along the termen black. Underside dark
ochraceous red. Forewing: the base shaded with fuscous black, two spots at base of cell and a
transverse line beyond crimson pink, edged with black: a very broad oblique discal band,
angulated downwards below vein 4, bordered posteriorly by a large black spot on the inner side
and outwardly and anteriorly by an oblique broad black band, followed by four anterior
obliquely placed ochraceous-white spots, and beyond by a very narrow lunular black band bent
downwards below vein 6. Hindwing: a crimson short line at extreme base, two crimson black-
bordered spots in cell: a comparatively broad transverse discal white band often broken up into a
large spot below middle of costa, with two or three spots in line below it; finally, a postdiscal
series of small black spots. Antennae are black, bright ochraceous at apex; head, thorax and
abdomen tawny red above, brown shaded with crimson-pink below.

14. Great eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina):

Hypolimnas bolina, the great eggfly, common eggfly or in New Zealand the blue moon butterfly
is a species of nymphalid butterfly found from Madagascar to Asia and Australia. H. bolina is a
black-bodied butterfly with a wingspan of about 70–85 millimetres (2.8–3.3 in). The species has
a high degree of sexual dimorphism. The female is mimetic with multiple morphs.
 Hypolimnas bolina
Male: The upperside of the wings is jet black, offset with three pairs of white spots, two on the
forewing and one on the hindwing. These spots are surrounded by purple iridescence. In
addition, the upperside of the hindwing bears a series of small white dots.
Female: The upperside of the wings of the female is a brownish black and does not have any
spots like those of the male. The edges bear white markings which are similar to those of the
common Indian crow.

15. Indian oakblue (Arhopala atrax):

Arhopala atrax
Arhopala atrax, the dark broken-band oakblue or Indian oakblue, is a species of lycaenid or blue
butterfly found in the Indo-malayan realm (India, Myanmar to Malaya).
Male: Upperside purplish-blue, shining in certain lights. Forewing with a narrow costal black
band, outer marginal black band about twice as broad. Hindwing with the costal space and outer
marginal line black, tail black, tipped with white, indications of a blackish spot on the margin on
each side of the tail, abdominal fold grey. Cilia black, with white tips. Underside pale brown,
with a lilac tint, markings darker brown, edged with white. Forewing with three oval cell spots,
increasing in size outwards, an outwardly oblique spot below the last, and another in the next
lower interspace, slightly outwardly oblique below the middle cell spot, well separated from each
other; a discal band of seven spots, the first four conjoined, outwardly oblique, the second and
fourth a little outwards, the fifth inwards, its upper outer end almost touching the lower inner end
of the fourth, and joined to the sixth outwardly obliquely, the seventh similarly inwards and
similarly oblique, with a small mark attached to its lower end, the hinder marginal space below
and between these spots pale. Hindwing with four sub-basal spots almost in a line, the fourth
being a little inwards, followed by three slightly larger oval spots in a line, the third of irregular
shape, an outwardly curved bar at the end of the cell, with a small spot attached to its lower end,
a discal series of eight spots, the first two below the costa, the lower ends of the second touching
the upper ends of the discoidal bar and the third spot, this conjoined with the other four spots in
an outward curve, the fourth and sixth shifted outwards, the seventh angular as usual, both wings
with a brown marginal line, a submarginal, somewhat lunular band, and between them a series of
smaller lunular marks.
Female: Upperside brighter blue, and paler. Forewing with a black spot at the end of the cell
running into the broad black costal band which widens gradually from the base, is very broad at
the apex and is continued broadly and evenly down the outer margin. Hindwing with the costa
and outer margin very broadly black. Underside as in the male.

16. Lesser three ring (Ypthima inica):

Ypthima inica also known as ‘Lesser three ring’ is a species rich genus of Old World butterflies
in the family Nymphalidae.
Dry-season form: - Male, female: Upperside uniform dark brown. Forewing with a subapical
black ocellus, comparatively large, rounded, bipupilled and with usual yellow iris. Hindwing
with a similar subtomal ocellus, but smaller and unipupilled. Underside pale grey; fine brown
striae numerous and evenly spread. Forewing with a submarginal, ochraceous, broad and
somewhat broken band. Hindwing crossed usually by four bands, similar to the band of the
forewing; ocelli reduced to mere specks or obsolete.

Ypthima inica
This species has been reported upto 750 m in the Punjab and central India. Weak flier and flies
one and half feet above the ground. Found in grasses and scruby forests during the monsoon.
Wing expanse: 26-27 mm.