List of some common butterflies and their host plants 

Butterfly 

(Common Name) 

Host Plants

Common Name Scientific Name 

1     Southern Birdwing Eshwaramulla Aristolochia indica

  Karandavalli Aristolochia tagala

 Alpam Thottea siliquosa

2     Common Rose Eshwaramulla Aristolochia indica

 Aaduthodaapaala Aristolochia bracteolata

3     Crimson Rose Eshwaramulla Aristolochia indica

 Alpam Thottea siliquosa

4     Common Blue Bottle Aranamaram Polyalthia longifolia 

 Kulamaavu Persea macrantha

 Mulakunaari Alseodaphne semicarpifolia

 Karpooramaram Cinnamomum camphora

 Kaattuvazhana Cinnamomum malabathrum

 Karuva Cinnamomum macrocarpum

 Ellukootti Litsea chinensis 

 Kaanakaitha Miliusa tomentosa

5     Common Jay Aranamaram Polyalthia longifolia 

 Kaanakaitha Miliusa tomentosa

 Karuva Cinnamomum macrocarpum

 Kaattuvazhana Cinnamomum malabathrum

 Chembaka Michelia chempaca

6     Tailed Jay Aranamaram Polyalthia longifolia 

Narum paanal Uvaria narum

 Chembaka Michelia chempaca

 Manoranjini Artabotris hexapetalus 

 Cherunedunaar Polyalthia cerasoides 

 Aathachakka Annona reticulata

 Seethappazham Annona squamosa

 Vazhana Cinnamomum sp. 

7    Fivebar Swordtail Annona elegans 

 Annona lawii 

 Annona zeylanica

 Miliusa sp. 

 Uvaria sp. 

8    Common mime Karappa Cinnamomum zeylanicum

 Karpooramaram Cinnamomum camphora

 Karuva Cinnamomum macrocarpum Ellukootti Litsea chinensis 

 Kulamaavu Persea macrantha

 Mulakunaari Alseodaphne semicarpifolia

9   Lime Butterfly Koovalam Aegle marmelos 

 Paanal Glycosmis arborea

 Kariveppu Murraya koenigii

 Arootha Ruta graveolens 

 Varimaram Chloroxylon swietenia 

Naarakam Citrus sp.

10 Common Mormon Kaatunaarakam Atlantia racemosa

 Koovalam Aegle marmelos 

 Paanal Glycosmis arborea

 Kariveppu Murraya koenigii

 Mullilam Zanthoxylum rhetsa

Naarakam Citrus sp.

11 Blue Mormon Paanal Glycosmis arborea 

 Kaatunaarakam Atlantia racemosa

 Kaatunaarakam Atlantia wightii 

Naarakam Citrus sp.

12 Red Helen Mullilam Zanthoxylum rhetsa

 Kakkathudali Thoddalia asiatica

 Kaattu rubber / Kanala Evodia roxburghiana

 Cherunaarakam Citrus limon 

13 Malabar Banded 

Swallowtail 

Kaattu rubber / Kanala Evodia roxburghiana

 Vidukanali Acronychia pedunculata

14 Malabar Raven Paanal Glycosmis arborea

15 Paris Peacock Kaattu rubber / Kanala Evodia roxburghiana

 Kakkathudali Thoddalia asiatica

Naarakam Citrus sp.

16 Lemon / Common 

Emigrant 

Kovidaaram Bauhinia racemosa

 Plash / Chamatha Butea monosperma

 Kanikonna Cassia fistula

 Chakrathakara Cassia tora 

 Manjathakara Cassia siamea

 Aanathakara Cassia alata

17 Mottled Emigrant Kanikonna Cassia fistula 

 Chakrathakara Cassia tora 

 Aanathakara Cassia alata

 Ponnaveeram Cassia occidentalis 

 Aavarthaki Cassia auriculata

 Manjakonna Cassia siamea

Nanjinaar Gnidia glauca

 Akathi Sesbania grandiflora

 Mullakathi Sebania bispinosa 18 Common Grass Yellow Kanikonna Cassia fistula

 Chakrathakara Cassia tora 

 Aanathakara Cassia alata

 Vaaka Albizzia sp. 

 Kaattukazhanji Moulluva spicata

 Ponnaamthakara Cassia sophera

 Cherani Cassia mimosoides 

19 Common Jezebel Ithilkanni Dendrophthoe falcata 

 Helianthes elestica

 Scurrula parasitica

 Viscum sp. 

20 Psyche Aaryavela Cleome rutidosperma

 Manjavela Cleome viscosa

 Kareeram Capparis spinosa

 Karthotti Capparis zeylanica

Neermathalam Crateva adansonii 

21 Painted Sawtooth Kaarthotti Capparis zeylanica

22 Common Gull Kareeram Capparis spinosa

 Karthotti Capparis zeylanica

 Kaakkathondi Capparis sepiaria

 Kaattakathi Cadaba fruticosa

23 Lesser Gull Thottuvila Caparis moonii

 Capparis cleghornii 

24 Pioneer Kaattakathi Cadaba fruticosa

 Kareeram Capparis spinosa

 Kaakkathondi Capparis sepiaria

 Kaarthotti Capparis zeylanica

25 Plain Puffin Malambayin Drypetes oblongifolia

 Poothilanji Drypetes roxburghii 

26 Chocolate Albatross Neermathalam Crateva adansonii 

27 Common Albatross Malambayin Drypetes oblongifolia

 Poothilanji Drypetes roxburghii 

 Vellakkashavu Drypetes venusta

28 Plain Orange Tip Kaattakathi Cadaba fruticosa

29 Yellow Orange Tip Kaakkathondi Capparis sepiaria

 Kaarthotti Capparis zeylanica 

30 Common Wanderer Kaarthotti Capparis zeylanica

31 Great / Giant Orange 

Tip 

Thottuvila Caparis moonii

 Kareeram Capparis spinosa

 Kaakkathondi Capparis sepiaria

 Kaarthotti Capparis zeylanica

Neermathalam Crateva adansonii 

32 Southern Duffer Mula Bamboos

33 Common Evening 

Brown 

Grasses34 Common Palmfly Thengu Cocos nucifera

 Kavungu Areca catechu

 Kaattuthengu Arenga wightii

 Chooral Calamus rotang

 Eenthappana Phoenix sp. 

 Ornamental palms

35 Bamboo Tree Brown Bamboos

36 Common Bush Brown Grasses

37 Glad Eye Bush Brown Grasses

38 Tamil Catseye Eeta Ochlandra sp. 

39 Nigger Grasses

40 Common Four - Ring Grasses

41 White / Ceylon FourRing 

Grasses

42 Common Five- Ring Grasses

43 Common Nawab Manjaadi Adenanthera pavonina

 Chappangam Caesalpinia sappan

 Kazhanji Caesalpinia bonducella

 Karingaali Acacia catechu

Nenmeni vaaka Albizia lebbeck

 Vaaka Albizia julibrissin

 Inja Acacia pennata

44 Tawny Rajah Puli Tamarindus indicus 

 Kaanakaitha Miliusa tomentosa

45 Black Rajah Puli Tamarindus indicus 

 Kaattukazhanji Moullava spicata

46 Tawny Coster Passion fruit Passiflora edulis 

 Muthukku Adenia hondala

 Kaattupoovarash Hibiscus cannabinus 

 Poodappazham Passiflora foetida

47 Tamil Lacewing Passion fruit Passiflora edulis 

 Muthukku Adenia hondala

48 Cruiser Passion fruit Passiflora edulis 

 Muthukku Adenia hondala

49 Southern Rustic Vayankatha Flacourtia montana

 Karimulli Flacourtia indica

 Loovika Flacourtia sp. 

50 Common Leopard Karimulli Flacourtia indica

 Vayankatha Flacourtia montana

 Kariyilanji Smilax sp. 

51 Small Leopard Rinorea bengalensis 

52 Tamil Yeoman Marotti Hydnocarpus pentandra 

 Kaattumarotti Hydnocarpus alpina

53 Chestnut- Streaked 

Sailer 

Kaattukazhanji Moullava spicata

 Irul Xylia xylocarpa  Poovarash Thespesia populnea 

 Ungu Pongamia pinnata 

 Ilavu Bombax ceiba

54 Common Sailer Irul Xylia xylocarpa 

 Ilavu Bombax ceiba

 Idampiri valampiri Helicteres isora

Naaykurana Mucuna pruriens 

 Peenaari Nothapodytes nimmomiana

 Vanpayar Vigna cylindrical

 Kaattumathivaal Canavalia gladiata 

 Kizhangupayar Vigna ungulata

55 Common Lascar Inja Acacia instia 

 Vaaka Albizia odoratissima

56 Blackvein sergeant Malayilangi Chionanthes mala-elengi 

 Edana Olea dioica

57 Commander Kaattakathi Cadaba fruticosa

Neerkadambu Mitragyna parvifolia

 Vellila Mussaenda frondosa

 Kadambu / Aatuthekku Neolamarckia cadamba

 Aatuvanji Ochreinauclea missionis 

 Vellathaalachedi Wendlandia thyrsoidea

58 Clipper Muthukku Adenia hondala

 Chitamruthu Tinospora cordifolia 

59 Grey Count Pezhu Careya arborea

 Athiraani Melastoma malabathricum

60 Common Baron Maavu Mangifera indica

 Kashumaavu Anacardium occidentale 

61 Joker Vallichoriyanam Tragia plukentii 

62 Common Castor Aavanakku Ricinus communis 

 Kodithoova Tragia involucrate 

 Vallichoriyanam Tragia plukenetii

63 Angled Castor Aavanakku Ricinus communis 

 Kodithoova Tragia involucrate 

 Vallichoriyanam Tragia plukenetii

64 Yellow Pansy Vayalchulli Hygrophila auriculata

 Parvathichedi Barleria sp. 

65 Blue Pansy Vayalchulli Hygrophila auriculata

 Paaramullu Lepidagathis prostrata 

 Lepidagathis keralensis 

66 Lemon Pansy Chanam Corchorus capsularis 

 Vayalchulli Hygrophila auriculata 

 Kurunthotti Sida rhombifolia

 Kanjavu Cannavis sativa

 Parvathichedi Barleria sp. 

67 Peacock Pansy Vayalchulli Hygrophila auriculata

Nirthippali Phyla nodiflora  Parvathichedi Barleria sp. 

68 Grey Pansy Vayalchulli Hygrophila auriculata

 Parvathichedi Barleria sp. 

69 Chocolate Pansy Vayalchulli Hygrophila auriculata

 Karingurinji Carvia callosa 

70 Indian Red Admiral Aanaviratti / Angara Girardinia diversifolia 

 Kattanplavu Urtica sp.

71 Blue Admiral Kariyilanji Smilax sp. 

 Kaachil Dioscorea sp. 

72 Painted Lady Artemissia sp. 

 Blumea sp. 

73 Great Eggfly Kodithoova Laportea interrupta

 Uppucheera Portulaca oleracea

 Kurunthotti Sida rhombifolia

74 Danaid Eggfly Uppucheera Portulaca oleracea

 Ooram Abutilon sp. 

 Kaattuvenda Abelmoschus sp. 

75 Blue Oakleaf Karimkurinji Carvia callosa 

 Kurinji Strobilanthes callosus 

76 Common Map Aal Ficus sp.

77 Glassy Blue Tiger Erikku Calotropis gigantea

 Paalvalli Cryptolepis buchananii 

 Vallippaala Tylophora indica

Naagathumbi Ceropegia bulbosa

78 Blue Tiger Ponnarali Asclepias curassavica

 Erikku Calotropis gigantea

 Vallippaala Tylophora indica

 Vattakkakkakodi Wattakaka volubilis 

79 Dark Blue Tiger Vattakkakkakodi Wattakaka volubilis 

80 Plain Tiger Erikku Calotropis gigantea

 Ponnarali Asclepias curassavica

 Paalvalli Cryptolepis buchananii 

81 Striped Tiger Ponnarali Asclepias curassavica

82 Common Indian Crow Aal Ficus sp.

Nannaari / Naruneendi Hemidesmus indicus 

 Paalvalli Cryptolepis buchananii 

 Vallippaala Tylophora indica

 Ilanji Mimusops elengi

 Ponnarali Asclepias curassavica

 Arali Nerium odorum

 Paarakam Streblus asper

 Cheri Carissa carandas 

83 Malabar Tree Nymph Maalatheelatha Aganosma cymosa

84 Common Pierrot Ilantha Ziziphus mauritiana

 Vanthudali Ziziphus rugosa

 Kottamullu Ziziphus xylopyrus 85 Angled Pierrot Vanthudali Ziziphus rugosa

86 Blue Banded Pierrot Cheruthudali Ziziphus oenoplia 

 Kottamullu Ziziphus xylopyrus 

 Ilantha Ziziphus mauritiana

87 Dark Pierrot Ithikkanni Dendrophthoe fulcata

 Kottamullu Ziziphus xylopyrus 

88 Zebra Blue Nenmeni vaaka Albizia lebbeck

 Thumbakoduveli Plumbago zeylanica

 Amarichedi Indigofera sp. 

89 Bright Babul Blue Karivelam Acacia nilotica

 Chengaringali Acacia leucocephala

90 Common Hedge Blue Irul Xylia xylocarpa 

 Poovam Schleichera oleosa

91 Quaker Paanal Glycosmis arborea

92 Malayan Poovam Schleichera oleosa

 Kulappunna Hemigyrosa deficiens 

 Mukkannan pezhu Allophylus cobbe 

93 Pale Grass Blue Puliyaarila Oxalis corniculata

 Kozhinjil Tephrosia pauciflora

 Kurinji Strobilanthes sp. 

94 Dark Grass Blue Cherucheera Amaranthes viridis 

 Kaalakomban Zornia gibbosa

95 Lesser Grass Blue Ooshappayar Alysicarpus vaginalis 

 Mullakathi Sesbania bispinosa

96 Tiny Grass Blue Vayalchulli Hygrophila auriculata

 Konginipoo Lantana camera

97 Southern Grass Jewel Puliyaarila Oxalis corniculata

 Pattanippayar Pisum sativam

 Thaamara Lotus corniculatus 

98 Gram Blue Chamatha Butea monosperma

Naayvenga / Thermaram Ougeinia oojeinensis 

 Pattanippayar Pisum sativam

 Vanpayar Vigna cylindrical

 Mugampayar Vigna trilobata

99 Pea Blue Chamatha Butea monosperma

 Pattanippayar Pisum sativam

 Chinapayar Vigna sinensis 

 Kilukki Crotalaria sp. 

100 Common Cerulean Kunni Abrus precatorius 

 Chamatha Butea monosperma

 Ungu Pongamia pinnata 

 Ashokam Saraca asoca

 Kuruvilingam Trichilia connaroides 

 Irul Xylia xylocarpa 

 Elam Elettaria cardamomum

101 Dark Cerulean Chamatha Butea monosperma Ungu Pongamia pinnata 

 Kilukki Crotalaria sp. 

102 Red Pierrot Ilamulachi Kalanchoe pinnata

 Paaramashi Kalanchoe laciniata 

103 Manytailed Oakblue Pambarakumbil Trewia nudiflora

104 Common Acacia Blue Venkaringali Acacia polycantha 

105 Common Silverline Mukkannan pezhu Allophylus cobbe 

 Kaaramullu Canthium coromandelicum

 Ilantha Ziziphus mauritiana

 Puzhamulla Clerodendrome inerme 

 Kaattakathi Cadaba fruticosa

106 Yamfly Kaachil Dioscorea pentaphylla 

 Kariyilaanji Smilax sp. 

107 Plane Cherukurandi Salacia sp. 

108 Monkey puzzle Chethi Ixora coccinia 

109 Red Spot Poomaruthu Terminalia paniculata

 Kashumaavu Anacardium occidentale 

 Pera Psidium guava 

 Venga Pterocarpus marsupium

110 Slate Flash Aasharippuli Antidesma acidum

 Theyila Camelia sinensis 

Nakshathramulla Quisqualis indica

 Thudali Ziziphus sp. 

 Inja Acacia pennata

 Cheevaka Acacia tora

 Karinelli Antidesma ghaesembilla

111 Indian Sun Beam Kunni Abrus precatorius 

 Ungu Pongamia pinnata 

 Ponnamvalli Derris scandens 

112 Orange Tail Awl Vellakurandi Combretum latifolium

 Vaasanthi Hiptage madablota

113 White-Banded Awl Ponnamvalli Derris scandens 

 Ungu Pongamia pinnata 

114 Brown Awl Thaanni Terminalia bellerica

 Vellakkurandi Combretum latifolium

115 Common Spotted Flat Karimkurinji Carvia callosa 

 Odiyamadantha Ecbolium ligustrinum

Neelakanakaambaram Eranthemum roseum

116 Immaculated / Suffused 

Snow Flat 

Kaachil Dioscorea oppositifolia

117 Water Snow Flat Kaattukaachil Dioscorea oppositifolia

 Kaachil Dioscorea sp. 

118 Fulvous Pied Flat Kadalaadi Achyranthes aspera

119 Tricolour Pied Flat Irul Xylia xylocarpa 

 Kurangu manjal Mallotus philippensis 

 Kottakka Grewia nervosa120 Common Small Flat Murikoottippacha Asystasia sp. 

 Odivodukki Blepharis asperima 

121 Spotted Small Flat Murikoottippacha Asystasia sp. 

122 Indian Grizzled Skipper Kurunthotti Sida rhombifolia

 Hibiscus sp. 

123 African Marbled or 

Mallow Skipper 

Ooram / Vattoorakam Abutilon indicum

124 Bush Hopper Nellu Oryza sativa 

125 Chestnut Bob Grasses

126 Coon Kookkila Stachyphrynium spicatum

 Inji Zingiber officinalis 

127 Common Banded 

Demon 

 Curcuma sp. 

 Zingiber sp. 

128 Restricted Demon Channakkoova Costus speciosa

 Suganthi Hedychium coronarium

 Chengazhaneerkizhangu Kaempferia rotunda

 Kaatinji Zingiber montana

 Kaattumanjal Curcuma decipiens 

129 Grass Demon Kasthoorimanjal Curcuma aromatica

 Malamanjal C. Pseudomontana

 Kaattumanjal Curcuma decipiens 

 Suganthi Hedychium coronarium

 Inji Zingiber officinalis 

130 Indian Palm Bob Chooral Calamus sp. 

 Aanappana Caryota urens 

 Thengu Cocos nucifera

 Eenthu Phoenix acaulis 

131 Common Red Eye Mula Bambusa arundinacea

132 Giant Red Eye Chooral Calamus sp. 

 Aanappana Caryota urens 

 Thengu Cocos nucifera 

 Eenthu Phoenix acaulis 

 Ornamental palms

133 Rice Swift Thina Setaria glauca

 Aanapullu Cymbopogon sp. 

Nambeesan pullu Pennisetum sp. 

Nellu Oryza sativa