Common Gull

The Common Gull is a small to medium-sized butterfly found across Sri Lanka and much of South and Southeast Asia. In Sri Lanka it is especially common in dry scrublands where plants of the Capparaceae family such as Capparis moonii and Crataeva adansonii grow. Though it spreads across the island during migration and can even be seen at high elevations it does not breed in those areas. This butterfly is very active during the hot parts of the day and is a fast flyer. It quickly moves from flower to flower rarely pausing for long. Males often gather in large numbers on damp soil or sand especially during migration. The sexes look similar except that females have heavier black markings which are more prominent in the wet season form.

The wings of the Common Gull are white with black veins and borders on the upper side while the underside shows yellow patches and dark scaling along the veins. These yellow patches appear much paler during the dry season. Males tend to have lighter markings than females. The butterfly shows seasonal differences in appearance with more intense black and yellow tones in the wet season. The larva is cylindrical with white dots and feeds mainly on Capparis species. The Common Gull is one of the most visible butterflies during its season and plays a role in the local ecosystem as a pollinator and as prey for other animals.