Four-claw Gecko (Gehyra mutilata)

Most abundant house gecko of Sri Lanka found in both anthropogenic habitats and forests of the island up to 1500m a.s.l. But so far not recorded from the northern part of the island and also rare in thick forest areas. It can be easily distinguished from other geckos by having characteristic carrot-shaped smooth tail and the absence of a claw on the inner digit. Four-claw gecko can changed its body color from white to dark and spotted to plain rapidly according to the inhabiting micro environment. Nocturnal in habit and feed on varies type of insects. Its foraging grounds are most of the time around artificial lights of houses and they are often competing with each others for better such places.

Crimson Rose (Pachliopta hector)

Crimson rose is a common butterfly of all over the low country up to mid hills of about 1000ft a.s.l. However it is much plentiful in dry zone than in other areas, even during driest of seasons. They fly close to the ground and flight is fast and straight. Female can be distinguished from the male (see above picture) by having much duller yellowish color spots on the upper side of the hind wing. Also female is generally larger than males. It take part in migrations and Ormiston recorded of seeing fair number of crimson rose butterflies “far out to sea, off the Indian and Ceylon coasts” in November 1914 and stated further that several of them came on board the ship. Its feeding plants in larval stage are Aristolochia bracteolata, Aristolochia indica (සප්සඳ) and Aristolochia ringens (තාරාමල්) of the family Aristolochiaceae.

අන්දර[Andara] (Dichrostachys cinerea)

Common tree found in dry and arid zones of the country. It is very drought resisting and flowers and fruits can be seen in varies time of the year according to localities. Leaves use as a fodder and tender shoots and roots have medicinal value. 

දඬු ලේනා[Dandu Lena]/Giant squirrel (Ratufa macroura)

Giant squirrel is distributed throughout the island in suitable habitats as three different subspecies.  Wet zone and highland subspecies have blackish brown to jet black above with totally black or ‘frosted with white’ tail, while dry zone subspecies has grizzled grey or brown upper parts with heavily frosted tail. They are diurnal and arboreal, always live in forests or near by villages with some trees. Its diet consists of leaves, barks and young twigs and shoots of trees and also wild fruits, berries and nuts in their seasons. It is said that insects, grubs and occasionally bird eggs are also included in its food. They build their nests among branches of tall tree within its territory demarcated by a solitary squirrel or a pair, using small branches and twigs. Usually they build 3-4 nests and use them both for sleeping and bringing forth young.

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

Common bronze-back/තුරු හාල්දණ්ඩා/මූකලන් හාල්දණ්ඩා[Thuru/Mookalan Haal Danda] (Dendrelaphis schokari)

Non–venomous arboreal snake inhabiting forest and open areas of all climatic zones of island from lowlands to about 750m a.s.l. Diurnal and though a tree snake it is observed of foraging on land as well in searching of its prey which consist of frogs, lizards, geckos, skinks, insects and also eggs of small birds. It can make long jumps among trees if necessary while chasing its prey. It can be distinguished easily from other Dendrelaphis species by having a cream color spotted line on its olive green dorsal from neck to mid fore body along the spine. 

Spotted tree frog (Polypedates maculatus)

Spotted tree frog is widely distributed in both low country dry and wet zones including arid zone up to 460m above sea level. It is commonly encountered in anthropogenic habitats and during day time it use to hides in cool places such as inside bath rooms and banana groves.  This frog can change its color up to certain extent and dorsal color may vary from light brown and yellow to reddish brown. Dark brown patches on dorsal surface can be seen sometimes and hence the name maculatus, since maculatus in Latin is the one who bear spots or patches on its body.  Loreal region is dark brown and dark cross bars can be seen on dorsal side of limbs. 

කිතලා[Kithala]Purple Swamphen/Purple coot(Porphyrio porphyrio)

Common resident bird of low country tanks, swamps and reed-beds of both wet and dry zones. Usually keeps in small parties of less than 10 birds and can be seen walking over floating vegetation or stalking through the reed beds. However bigger congregations are not uncommon. Though it can swim well does not often do so unless compelled.Flight is fast and also can make long flights. It keeps its feet extending beyond tail in flight. Feed mainly on vegetable matters and some insects. Nesting on heap of vegetation in reed-bed during the first half of the year while peak is from March to May. It is very noisy and quarrelsome especially during the breeding season and birds chasing one another are frequently occurred at that time. 

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

Green Garden Lizard (Calotes calotes)

Green garden lizard or Pala Katussa is a common lizard with wide distribution from low lands plains to mid hills. It is highly arboreal and found in both forest and anthropogenic habitats such as home gardens, plantations, etc... However it is rare in Northern part of the country and higher hills (Not recorded of above 1500m a.s.l). It has very characteristic long tail and it can be considered as the largest Calotes species in the country. It feeds mainly on insects but may also take plant materials such as tender buds and flowers. Several color variations has been recorded of this species and it has been observed a quite distinct population from Kachchativu Island. 

Shining Gossamerwing(Euphaea splendens)

This beautiful endemic damselfly with brilliant metallic blue or green hindwings of males (visible only when it flies )  is a common insect of montane and sub-montane streams surrounded by some vegetation. Rarely seen females can be found in near by jungle. Male has a habit of using its forewings as propellers while keeping the hindwinds fully spread out as wings of a plane. 

ගඳපාන/රටහිඟුරු[Ganda-Pana/Rata Hinguru]/Common Lantana/Wild Sage (Lantana camara)

A native shrub of South America (probably West Indies) and now widely distributed throughout the tropic. It was introduced to Sri Lanka in 1926 through the Royal botanical garden as an gardening plant and later on escaped and naturalized at all elevations of the country.  It is very common in wastelands, open areas in jungles, abandoned chena cultivations etc….Now it is considered as an invasive plant and measures are being taken to eradicate or control spreading of this plant specially in national parks such as Udawalawe, Bundala..etc where invading Lantana shrubs greatly reduced grazing lands available for Elephants and other wildlife. However ripe berries of this plant are widely eaten by birds and they act as dispersers of seeds. Also it provides nectar for butterflies.

Oriental Green-Wing (Neurobasis chinensis chinensis)

Oriental Green-Wing is a comparatively large damselfly with very long slender legs. Male insect - shown in picture - can be easily identified by having beautiful metallic green body, shining metallic green hind wings and hyaline forewings while female has brown tinted wings. It is a common damselfly of montane and submontane streams usually with surrounding forests. It is observed that this species is frequently found together with Black-tipped Flashwing (Vestalis apicalis ) and Shining Gossamerwing(Euphaea splendens)

Club Beak (Libythea myrrha rama)

Club Beak is a locally common butterfly distributed in wet forested areas of hills from 600-1200 m a.s.l. It usually found near streams and wet roads. If disturbed, it only flies few meters and probably return back to the same location in a few seconds. It flies very fast but once settles on a flower or wet road or on a boulder in a stream, sits absolutely still few minutes. The larva feeds on celtis species of the family Ulmaceae (Celtis.philippensis [මැදිතැල්ල] and Celtis timorensis [ගූරැන්ද/බූරැන්ද]).

Malabar Sprite (Pseudagrion malabaricum)

Locally common damselfly from lowlands up to mid hills. Much common in the wet zone sea level. It can be distinguished from similar other species (P. microcephalum) by larger size (Abdomen about 32-33 mm and hind wing 20 - 22mm While it is 27-29 mm and 17-20mm respectively of P. microcephalum) and this one having goblet shaped mark on second segment with only a stem while other species has line running into the goblet shaped cup.

කලපු කිරලා[Kalapu Kirala]/Black-winged Stilt(Himantopus Himantopus)

A resident bird of dry zone lowlands. It inhabits coastal mudflats, lagoons, marshes and inland tanks and also possible winter visitors to both wet and dry lowland water bodies. They breed from June to July usually as small colonies. Nesting is on the edge of a lagoon or tank or on a small islet. Nest is an usual depression in the ground sometimes lined with few rushes, water weeds or desiccated cow-pats. Food consists of mollusks, worms, aquatic insects and marsh plants. Usually feed as small scattered flocks and unite into a compact flock if disturbed. The long stilt-like legs enable it to reach food supplies normally out of reach for most other waders.

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

Spine – Legged Redbolt (Rhodothemis rufa)

Brilliant scarlet red abdomen and thorax with no black markings of the male is the key to identify this insect from similar other dragonflies (Such as Scarlet basker). Sub adult males and females have a light yellowish mid dorsal stripe on segment 1 to 4. It is an uncommon dragonfly of lowland plains and breeds in weedy tanks, ponds, streams and channels while females hiding in surrounding jungle.

බිනර/ගිණිහිරිය[Binara/Ginihiriya] (Exacum macranthum [Syn: Exacum trinervium subsp. macranthum)

An endemic herb grows in moist places of the highlands mainly in southeastern part of the Central province. Common in Horton plains, Pattipola, Ambewela, Ohiya, Hakgala and Corbet’s gaps of knuckles range. Flowering from January to June and again in September to December.

Cruiser (Vindula Erota)

Cruiser can be found in forest areas of all over the island though can’t be considered as a common butterfly. It is much common from May to September months of the year. It is frequently found mud puddling on wet patches on gravel roads and usually bask high up on trees, time to time taking short flights and returning to the same spot. Sexes are dissimilar and great variation can be seen of dry and wet zone forms. Males of dry zone form are much smaller than wet zone form and not bright orange as of wet season form. Its only confirmed food plant in Sri Lanka is Passiflora subpeltata an introduced and naturalized vine in the sub montane region.

Yellow Waxtail (Ceriagrion coromandelianum)

Very common damselfly recorded from all areas of the country. It is easily distinguished from other damselflies by having bright yellow abdomen of males. It breeds in weedy water and males can be seen in such habitats such as weedy tanks, ponds, canals, paddy fields…etc. Females live in shrub jungles some distance away from water bodies.

පිනුම් කටුස්සා[Pinum Katussa]/Sri Lankan Kangaroo Lizard(Otocryptis weigmanni)

An endemic ground dwelling lizard confined to wet zone of the country (In forest areas from sea level up to 1300m). It inhabits on the leaf litter near forest streams. This lizard when disturbed may run bipedally (Rises on to its hind legs when running). That is the base for unusual name ‘kangaroo lizard’ for it. P.E.P. Deraniyagala mentions several Sinhalese names for this lizard – (Kala Katussa, Yak Katussa, Pinum Katussa, Thalli Katussa). Its diet consists of insects (Ants, Moths, Grasshoppers and Beetles), Spiders and occasionally plant materials such as tender shoots.

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

Blue Stars (Aristea ecklonii)

 Native plant of southeastern Africa, South Africa, Uganda and Madagascar. Introduced to Sri Lanka and escaped from the Hakgala botanical garden and naturalized in patana lands and roadsides in only higher altitudes of Nuweraeliya district. Common around Hakgala and in patana lands of Horton plains. Flowers open early morning and close before noon.

Asian Openbill/විවරතුඩුවා/බෙල්ලන් කොකා [Vivaratuduwa/Bellan koka] (Anastomus oscitans)

Smallest stork of Sri Lanka with a    characteristic bill which has a gap between mandibles when it is closed. Common breeding resident of marshes, tanks, paddy fields and lagoons. Much common in dry zone low lands where it met with singly or in small parties and flocks. However it has been observed that recently open bill had expanded its distribution range to the wet zone specially wetlands around Colombo such as Muthurajawela, Bellanwila and paddy fields of Western province. Its food  consists mainly of mollusks. Also eat crabs, frogs, fish and other small animals found in its swampy habitats
Its peculiar bill is obviously an adaptation to facilitate extraction of soft body of mollusks from the hard shell. Regularly soar on thermal currents on sunny days and can be seen flocks circling up to great height in sky. It is recorded that this stork brings bivalve mollusks to ashore and eat soft parts when valves open due to hot sun. Breeding season is from December to March and nest in colonies sometime up to hundreds or more in top of low trees by water.

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

Crimson Dropwing (Trithemis aurora)

                  A common dragonfly of lowlands to submontane mid-hills. Prefer slow moving streams and channels to breeding rather than tanks and ponds. But adult males are not uncommon in weedy tank edges and river banks. Females and juvenile males resort to the surrounding jungles away from water bodies.

Chestnut-streaked Sailor (Neptis jumbah)

Common butterfly flies from sea level to mid hills of about 500ft. Usually it rest with open wings unlike most other butterflies. It joins in the migratory flights in large numbers. Larva feeds on Bhesa nitidissima, Pterospermum suberifolium (වෙළන් /Fishing rod tree ), .Campylospermum serratum (බෝ-කෑර/ගෝ-කෑර), Prunus walkeri, Celtis philippensis, Bhesa ceylanica, Dalbergia pseudo-sissoo, Nothapodytes nimmoniana, Erythrina fusca, Berrya cordifolia, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus and Grewia carpinifolia

Six-toe green frog (Euphlyctis hexadactylus)

Purely aquatic frog widely distributed in lowlands water bodies such as ponds, marshes,rivers and tanks with aquatic vegetations. Highest attitude where this frog is recorded is Warnagala area near Kuruwita of peak wilderness sanctuary (760m). Sometime it can be seen inside domestic wells too. Dorsal surface bright green or mud brown often with pale yellow or creamy white lateral line. Female is large and grows up to 120mm in length while small males grow only about 58-87mm.

සුදු නෙලුම්[Sudu Nelum](Nelumbo nucifera)

Aquatic indigenous herb of ponds and tanks of dry zone. Often cultivated in other areas. Flowering throughout the year but mainly during February to August. Flowers use as temple offering and rhizomes are edible and use also in medicine. Color of the flower varies from white to purplish pink.

Asian Groundling (Brachythemis contaminate)

Very common dragonfly of slow flowing streams, weedy tank edges and marshes from the sea level to mid-hills. Abdomen – 19-20mm and Wings – 22-23mm. Female is lighter in color and much yellowish with clear wings contrary to male figured above.

Lime Butterfly( Papilio demoleus)

Common butterfly of all over the island below 1500ft throughout the year. It occasionally joins with migratory flight in great numbers and may then be seen at higher elevations. Larva feed on various plants of Rutaceae family (Limonia acidissima(දිවුල්/Woodapple), Citrus auruntifolia (දෙහි/Lime), Citrus limon, Citrus sinensis, Chloroxylon swietenia, Atalantia ceylanica [වල් දෙහි/යකිනාරන්/‍යක් දෙහි], Aegle marmelos [බෙලි], Ruta chalepensis, Glycosmis pentaphylla [දොඩම් පනා], Euodia suaveolens and Pamburus missionis [පඹුරු] ) and Cullen corylifolium of Fabaceae family.

Black-tipped or Ruddy Mongoose (Herpestes smithii)

This mongoose can be distinguished from other three of same family inhabiting Sri lanka by having black tip at the tail end and not having of black strip in neck. Common in jungles and vicinity of forested areas in both dry and wet zone lowlands and becoming scarce in hills above 3500-4000ft. It hunts during both day and night though mostly active in early morning and evening hours. It has a habit of carrying its tail curved upward and can be recognized it even at a distance due to this. Its prey consists mainly of birds, small mammals and reptiles and any carrion that it comes across.

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

Changeable Hawk-Eagle(Spizaetus cirrhatus)

Changeable hawk-eagle is a rather common breeding resident mainly inhabits low country dry zone(less common in wet zone) and medium elevations of the hills up to 1500m. It keeps its habitats to open forest areas and grasslands with trees such as chena cultivations and tank borders spending much of its time perch on an exposed branch of a tree, looking out of prey which consists mainly of lizards, rodents and birds upon which it pounces with unexpected rush. It breeds during early months of the year and sometimes in June-July. Nest a large platform of sticks and twigs build about 12 – 30m up in a tall tree generally on a hill side or edge of a ravine. Both sexes share in building the nest though only female incubate. Most of the time clutch size is a single egg.

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata)

Introduced from West Africa and now widespread in moist lowlands and sub montane region up to about 1200m elevations of the island. Cultivate as ornamental and shade tree in home gardens and roadsides. A large tree of about 30m height branching widely at top. Bright Orange-Red flowers blooms during June-September months of the year.

Asian Skimmer (Orthetrum glaucum)

Common dragonfly of hill country streams, ponds and marshes, not usually found in the plains. Characteristic dark face help to distinguish this dragonfly from similar other Skimmers. Abdomen about 32mm and hind wing 36mm.

කිතුල්[Kithul] (Caryota urens)

Native tree with 12-18 m high cylindrical stem of wet lowlands of south-west of the island up to 2000m elevation and Kurunagala, Badulla areas of intermediate zone. Also distributed in South India. Found in rain forest sub-canopy and as cultivated trees in home gardens. It has multitude of uses especially jaggery and toddy being produced from the inflorescence sap. Leaves and stems as elephant fodder and pith an edible starch.

Green Skimmer (Orthetrum sabina)

Very common insect of plains and submontane regions of the country. Usually encountered in weedy edges of tanks, irrigation channels, paddy fields and perennial and seasonal ponds where it breeds. Both male and female are similar in shape and color. The extraordinary swollen abdomen of this dragonfly is remarkable and a useful identification feature of it.

Common Jezebel (Delias eucharis)

It is abundant everywhere in island wherever its larval food plant flourishes (i.e. Loranthus species - Common parasitic plants called Pilila in Sinhala) at all elevations and flies all the year round. Flight is weak and fluttering. Although flies rather high, it comes readily to flowers in all weather conditions. It is not frequently mud puddling as the males of its mimic (Painted Saw-tooth) but in very hot weather few settle on damp spots on the river beds. Rather rare wet season form of this butterfly described with white of the upper surface is replaced by yellow, said to be frequent in Ratnapura district. Common jezebel sometimes flies with the company with its mimic of entirely different genus (Prioneris sita/ Painted Saw-tooth) which in normal flight appear very similar to the jezebel with coloration, wing shape and size. But once disturbed Painted Saw-tooth has rapidly ascending flight unlike Common jezebel.

Lava feeds on the leaves of Dendrophthoe falcata, Dendrophthoe ligulatus, Dendrophthoe neelgherrensis, Scurrula cordifolia, Scurrula parasitica, Taxillus tomentosus and Taxillus cuneatus of Loranthaceae family

හම්බූ පන්[Hambu Pan] (Typha angustifolia)

Indigenous reed-like marsh herb with about 150-250cm tall stem grows in low country tanks, ditches and marsh lands. It is most commonly found in the low country dry zone. Leaves use for thatching houses, weaving mats and basket works. Cigars like spikes or inflorescences where very small female flowers in lower part and male flowers in upper, are frequently used for interior decorations.

Asian Pintail(Acisoma panorpoides)

Asian Pintail is a very small dragonfly of lowland plains up to lower hills. It has a very weak and short flight and hence keeps close to vegetation around heavily weeded water bodies such as tanks, marshes etc. and breed on them without moving far away. It is about 15-18mm of body size (Abdomen) and wing span of 16-22mm. Juvenile female is pale ochreous and which is replaced by azure blue of both sexes of adults.

Common Tiger (Danaus genutia)

It is a common butterfly of all over the island all the year round but less common over 4000ft. The sexes are similar but the male has the scent-pouch on the hind wind which is more prominent in the under side as can be seen in the picture. Migratory species and it join on limited extends in the plights. The female of this butterfly is mimicked by the females of Common Palmfly (Elymnias hypermnestra) and Indian Fritillary(Argynnis hyperbius)  Larva feeds on  Cynanchum tunicatum (කන් කුඹල), Cynanchum annularium, Oxystelma esculentum, Pentatropis capensis, Vincetoxicum flexuosum and Ceropegia candelabrum

Common wood Frog/Bronzed frog (Indosylvirana temporalis)

Common wood Frog is a semi-arboreal common frog in shaded rocky streams of wet zone rain forests. It may be also inhabits paddy fields and such anthropogenic habitats. Anslem de Silva recorded it on the road to Horton plains at 1830m above sea level and it is considered as the highest location where this frog is recorded so far. It is endemic to Sri Lanka. It lives mainly on wet rocks in streams rather than in the water itself and diurnal activities also observed in rain forest areas though mostly active during night and hide among rock boulders during day time.

පලා පොළඟා[Palaa Polaga]Green Pit Viper (Trimeresurus trigonocephalus)

Green Pit Viper is a moderately venomous endemic snake to Sri Lanka. It is arboreal and nocturnal, occasionally descending to the ground in search of food comprises of frogs, small mammals and birds. This sluggish pit viper is usually encountered on low shrubs during morning hours. It is widely distributed in all three climatic zones of the island except higher hills and arid zones while relatively much common in wet zone grasslands and rain forest areas and occasionally in plantations. It produces live young most of the time during months of June-July. When threatened vibrate its tail and lashes out to bite seldom with hissing sound.

Ictinogomphus rapax(Rapacius Flangetail)

Rapacius Flangetail is a locally common dragonfly of tanks and paddy fields of low country up to mid hills. It is comparatively large insect of about 52mm of abdomen with appendages and wings with a span of 55-60mm. It breeds on both running and still water while preferring the latter. It is recorded from Kantalai, Wilpattu,Passara, Polonnaruwa,Kandy,Periyakulam, Haldummulla(Fonseka, 2000) and Anawilundawa(Personal observations)

Baron (Euthalia aconthea vasanta)

Baron is a common butterfly found in all over the island up to about 3500ft in all year round. Larva of this butterfly feed on Mangifera psittacus (Mango/අඹ) and Anacardium occidentale (Cashew/කජු) both are extensively cultivated fruit trees (Nothopegia beddomei is also identified as its larval host plant). However both Woodhouse and Ormiston mentioned that it had not been recorded from Jaffna at that time even though mango trees are abundance in peninsula. It has a very strong flight and they are fond of mud puddling at wet road sides or on forest tracks. Frequently it comes to decaying

 fruits.

Lesser Grass Blue(Zizina Otis)

While describing distribution of this butterfly Ormiston – One of the pioneer in butterfly studies of Sri Lanka – stated “Very common everywhere from Galle to Jaffna, and from sea level to the Horton Plains”. Even today it is not much different of Ormiston’s observation in early last century. It is a butterfly of all elevations throughout the year. But less common in higher elevations. Larva feed on Alysicarpus scariosus, Aphyllodium biarticulatum, Grona heterophylla (මහ උඳුපියලි/Spanish clover),  Desmodium triflorum (හීන් උඳුපියලිය/Creeping tick threefoil/Tick clover),  Tribulus terrestris (සෙම්බු-නෙරෙන්චි/ගොකටු) and Alysicarpus vaginalis (අස්වැන්න/Alice clover/One-leaf clover) of the family  Fabaceae