In the heart of South Asia’s teardrop-shaped island lies an ecological treasure often overlooked—the butterfly. These vibrant creatures, fluttering silently among wildflowers, have long brought color and movement to Sri Lanka’s gardens, forests, and fields. They are more than just a beautiful sight; butterflies are ecological indicators, vital pollinators, and a symbol of a healthy environment.
Historically, Sri Lankans revered butterflies, especially during the annual butterfly migration to Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak). This natural phenomenon, observed around January each year, saw tens of thousands of butterflies moving en masse from various regions—especially the dry zones—towards the central highlands. The public once believed they were joining pilgrims on the sacred path, reinforcing a cultural and spiritual connection between nature and faith.
But today, those clouds of butterflies are thinning. In some areas, they are gone altogether.
“The decline in butterfly populations isn’t just tragic—it’s a red flag for the health of our ecosystems,” says Rajika Gamage, Conservation Biologist of the Tea Research Institute and researcher who has spent years studying local biodiversity. “And if we don’t act now, many species will vanish silently.”
Butterflies, like many insects, are incredibly sensitive to changes in their environment. While the overuse of chemical pesticides and herbicides has long been suspected as a driver of population decline, Gamage says a far more insidious threat is spreading unchecked across the island: invasive plant species.
“These invasive plants are gradually replacing the native flora that butterflies depend on for both food and reproduction,” he explains.
One of the most widespread culprits is Gini Thana (cogon grass), but it doesn’t act alone. A host of other non-native plants—Eupatorium, Mistweed, Wel Attapassaya, Kalapuwandara, Kahaparamiya, and Yoda Nidigumba—are spreading across rural and forested lands. Even trees like Mahogany, Alstonia, Khaya, and Eucalyptus, introduced for timber or fuelwood, contribute to the changing landscape.
Adding to this complex invasion is the controversial Katu Pol (thorny palm), introduced in recent years as a potential biofuel crop. “It has already spread alarmingly fast,” says Gamage. “Once it takes hold, it’s extremely difficult to remove.”
These plants aggressively outcompete native low-lying nectar-rich flowering plants, essential for adult butterflies to feed. More critically, they displace the specific host plants that caterpillars need to grow. Without those, butterflies cannot reproduce.
“Each butterfly species is closely tied to its host plant. Remove the plant, and you remove the butterfly,” Gamage explains.
Another devastating factor is the widespread use of glyphosate, a potent herbicide often used in agriculture and urban landscaping. Glyphosate doesn’t discriminate; it kills everything it touches.
“Over time, repeated use of glyphosate sterilizes the land,” Gamage says. “The only things left growing are resistant weeds, many of which are invasive species themselves.”
He notes that in former farmlands or abandoned plots, it is now common to see large swathes of invasive grass or brush where once a rich understory of native plants thrived. This shift starves butterflies of their food sources and disrupts the delicate ecological web they rely on.
A Garden of Possibilities
While the problems may seem overwhelming, Gamage believes the solution can begin in our own backyards.
“Creating a butterfly garden is one of the most meaningful actions an individual can take to support biodiversity,” he says. “It doesn’t require much land—just some light, care, and native plants.”
He adds that with consistent effort, a butterfly garden can begin to show results within six months. Here’s how you can start:
How to Build Your Own Butterfly Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide
Observe the Sunlight:
Butterflies love morning light. Select a spot in your garden that gets strong sunlight, especially from the east.
Assess Existing Plants:
Study your garden to identify if any host or nectar plants already exist. Retain and build upon them when planning your butterfly habitat.
Identify Local Butterfly Species:
Understand which butterflies are native to your area. Books, websites, and field guides can help you recognize these species and their behavior.
Create a Host Plant List:
Each butterfly species needs specific plants to lay eggs. Document these host plants and prioritize growing them in your garden. Many books on butterflies include these associations.
Keep a Butterfly Log:
Make a checklist of butterflies you observe in your garden. As your butterfly garden matures, use this list to track changes and new arrivals.
Plan Your Garden Layout Thoughtfully:
Ensure your landscape design allows for open, sunny areas and avoids planting tall shrubs or trees that block the sun in the east and west. Good light exposure is essential for both butterflies and their plants.
Introduce Host Plants First, Then Nectar Plants:
Start with a small number of host plants and allow them to establish. Once stable, add nectar-rich plants like zinnias, sunflowers, and Raja Pohottu, which attract adult butterflies with their vibrant blooms.
This method, says Gamage, mimics the natural ecosystem while making it accessible for anyone to participate in butterfly conservation.
“Don’t try to plant too much at once,” he advises. “Even maintaining two or three key plant species is a huge help. What matters most is creating a space that can support the butterfly’s full life cycle—from egg to caterpillar to adult.”
From Private Gardens to National Awareness
Gamage’s work goes beyond scientific observation; it is deeply rooted in environmental education and community engagement. He regularly speaks at schools and community gatherings, emphasizing that biodiversity protection must start with awareness.
“In our grandparents’ time, butterflies were everywhere,” he says. “Now, most children only see them in books or cartoons. That’s a huge cultural and ecological loss.”
He believes that public involvement—especially in urban and suburban settings—is key. A single garden may not change the world, but a network of butterfly gardens across the country can create green corridors that help butterflies survive, migrate, and reproduce.
Moreover, these gardens can serve as living classrooms, helping people of all ages learn about interdependence in nature, and how small actions can lead to large-scale change.
A Shared Responsibility
Butterflies don’t just bring beauty—they bring balance. As pollinators, they contribute to the health of both natural ecosystems and agricultural lands. Their decline warns us of greater environmental trouble.
“We can’t just blame farmers or chemicals or the government,” Gamage stresses. “It’s a shared responsibility. Each of us has a role to play in protecting what’s left.”
And the good news? The solution is literally at our feet.
With some awareness, thoughtful planting, and a bit of patience, your backyard could become a sanctuary—not just for butterflies, but for hope itself.
“If we want to see butterflies in the next generation,” Gamage says, “we must act today. Not tomorrow. Today.”
Butterflies to Watch For in Sri Lanka’s Home Gardens. (Suggested by Rajika Gamage)
Common Mormon (Papilio polytes) – Host plant: Citrus
Crimson Rose (Pachliopta hector) – Host plant: Aristolochia
Lime Butterfly (Papilio demoleus) – Host plant: Lime/Orange
Tawny Coster (Acraea terpsichore) – Host plant: Passiflora
Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus) – Host plant: Calotropis
Let us not wait until the wings of butterflies are but a memory. With knowledge, care, and collective will, we can bring them back—garden by garden, bloom by bloom.
Let’s invite the butterflies back.
By Ifham Nizam 
from The Island https://ift.tt/W1zRjK8
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