WNPS lecture today on ‘Butterflies: Essential to Ecosystems’

Thursday, 21 September 2023 02:52 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Dr. Himesh Jayasinghe

‘Butterflies: Essential to Ecosystems’ will be the focus on the monthly lecture of Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) today at 6.00 p.m. at the Jasmine Hall, BMICH.

It will be delivered by Dr. Himesh Jayasinghe

Sri Lanka hosts 248 known species of butterflies, 31 of which are endemic. Due to their strong interdependence with flowering plants, they are essential for the healthy ecosystem of the island, contributing to pollination, acting as indicators of environmental health, supporting food webs, and enriching biodiversity. Efforts to protect butterflies invariably align with broader conservation goals and can have positive effects throughout ecosystems. If butterflies, and bees, disappear, so will the multitude of flowering plants and, with them, much of agriculture and human food sources.

Dr. Jayasinghe is currently a Research Assistant (Plant taxonomy and Conservation) at the National Institute of Fundamental Studies. A founder member and first President of the Butterfly Conservation Society of Sri Lanka, he also holds a PhD in Plant Taxonomy from the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo. As such, he is well qualified to explain the intricate relationships that exist between butterflies and plants, and how that contributes to the welfare of the ecosystem, especially here in Sri Lanka.

The monthly lecture of the WNPS is supported by the Nations Trust Bank. It is open to both members and non-members, and entrance is free.