Plain Tiger Butterfly - BirdForum Opus

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Common Name: Plain Tiger

Photo by Alok Tewari
Mating Pair, Gurgaon, Haryana, India, 16 May. 2014

Photo by Alok Tewari
Keoladeo NP, Bharatpur, India, 16 Dec. 2014

Danaus chrysippus

Identification

• Both sexes pale orange with black margins.
• Under lighter than upper-wing.
• Females larger.
• Males have a pouch containing scent, a cluster of scent scales.

Distribution

• Found in Africa, Southern Europe, India and many other parts of South-east Asia.
• Also called African Monarch.

Habitat

• Prefers open country.
• Seen in forest and Hills too.

Behaviour

• Seen often on flowers.
• Comes to damp patches occasionally.
• Slow flight, close to ground.

Mimicry

• Non-edible.
• Mimicked closely by Danaid Eggfly (f) and Indian Fritillary (f).
• Leopard Lacewing (m&f), Tamil Lacewing (m&f) and Common Palmfly (f) also have close resemblance.

References

1. Kehimkar, Isaac. The Book of Indian Butterflies. 2011 Reprint. Bombay Natural History Society. Oxford Univ. Press. ISBN (13): 978019569620 2
2. Nelson, Rodrigues. Butterflies of Mumbai. MMR Environment Improvement Society. Anitha Art Printers. ISBN-978-81-926884-0-4
3. Wikipedia page Pain Tiger Butterfly