BIRDWALKERMONDAY

This Blog contains Wildlife and Bird Photos from Walks, Safaris, Birding Trips and Vacations. Most of the pictures have been taken with my Nikon P900 and P950X cameras. On the right of the page are labels for each species of Bird/Animal etc. Click on a label and it will show all of the photos taken for that species. I am adding as much information for each species as I can from sources Wikipedia. To see any pictures at full size just click on the picture.

Showing posts with label PLAIN TIGER BUTTERFLY (Danaus chrysippus). Show all posts

Saturday 16 March 2024

11-12-2015 BURMA, BAGAN - PLAIN TIGER BUTTERFLY (Danaus chrysippus)

The Plain Tiger, also known as the African Monarch, is a common butterfly that is widespread across Africa, Asia and southern Europe.

The upperside of the wings are a tawny colour with a black forewing, black wing margins, and white spots. The thorax is black with white spots and the abdomen is a tawny brown colour. Males are usually smaller than females and may be more brightly coloured. The wingspan is about 7-8 cm.

Like Monarch butterflies, Plain Tigers are in the genus Danaus also know as the milkweed butterflies. The larval host plants of the Plain Tiger are in the subfamily Asclepiadoideae. The caterpillar and the butterfly are protected from predators due to the alkaloids that they aquire from the plants that they eat. Plain Tigers will often fly slowly while close to the ground in a straight line so that predators can recognize their bright warning colouration easily and avoid eating them. This protective advantage has led to numerous mimics. Many edible butterflies (namely; The Red Lacewing (Cethosia cyane), and the Danaid Eggfly (Hypolimnas misippus) resemble the Plain Tiger so that they too can be protected from predators.

Thursday 4 January 2024

3-1-2024 BAKAU, GAMBIA - PLAIN TIGER BUTTERFLY (Danaus chrysippus)

Clearly a relative of the well known monarch, D. plexippus, this species is slightly smaller. Rather more widespread but very scarce in coastal areas of the Mediterranean from Spain to Greece. It has a world wide distribution.

There is almost no variation recorded across its vast worldwide range. There are exceptions in a few places such as east Africa where additional forms are present and appear to be controlled by Mendelian genetics - why the effect is localised is not clear.

Mediterranean coasts from Spain, where it is most frequent, to Greece, but absent from large parts of the cost. North Africa in Morocco to Tunisia where it can be found well inland. Seemingly greatly reduced in the Canary Islands now. Flies at all times of the year, with a period of relative inactivity in winter.

A powerful species, roaming widely. Frequents hot dry places.

Sunday 24 December 2023

21-12-2023 NGALA LODGE, GAMBIA - PLAIN TIGER BUTTERFLY (Danaus chrysippus)

Danaus chrysippus, also known as the plain tiger, African queen, or African monarch, is a medium-sized butterfly widespread in Asia, Australia and Africa. It belongs to the Danainae subfamily of the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. Danainae primarily consume plants in the genus Asclepias, more commonly called milkweed. Milkweed contains toxic compounds, cardenolides, which are often consumed and stored by many butterflies. Because of their emetic properties, the plain tiger is unpalatable to most predators. As a result, its coloration is widely mimicked by other species of butterflies. The plain tiger inhabits a wide variety of habitats, although it is less likely to thrive in jungle-like conditions and is most often found in drier, wide-open areas.

D. chrysippus encompasses three main subspecies: D. c. alcippus, D. c. chrysippus, and D. c. orientis. These subspecies are found concentrated in specific regions within the larger range of the entire species.

The plain tiger is believed to be one of the first butterflies depicted in art. A 3,500-year-old ancient Egyptian fresco in Luxor features the oldest known illustration of this species.

D. chrysippus is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 7–8 cm (2.8–3.1 in). The body is black with white spots. The wings are a brownish orange, the upper side brighter and richer than the underside. The apical half of the forewing is black with a white band. The hindwing has three black spots in the center. The wings are bordered in black and outlined with semicircular white spots. This species exhibits slight sexual dimorphism, as the Male has large scent glands on his hindwings, which the female lacks. They appear as a large black spot with a white centre if viewed from the underside

D. chrysippus is a polymorphic species, so the exact coloring and patterning vary within and between populations.

It is similar in appearance to the Indian fritillary (Argynnis hyperbius), which may coexist with it.

Wednesday 22 November 2023

22-11-2023 EL PINET, ALICANTE - PLAIN TIGER BUTTERFLY (Danaus chrysippus)

The plain tiger is believed to be one of the first butterflies depicted in art. A 3,500-year-old ancient Egyptian fresco in Luxor features the oldest known illustration of this species.

The plain tiger is found across the entirety of Africa, where the predominant subspecies is D. c. alcippus. Its range extends across the majority of Asia throughout Indian subcontinent, as well as many south Pacific islands. The plain tiger is even present in parts of Australia. D. c. chrysippus is most common throughout Asia and in some select regions in Africa, while D. c. orientis is present in more tropical African regions as well as some African islands, including Madagascar and the Seychelles. It is also found in Southern Europe and Kuwait. These insects are considered bioinvaders in North America.

The plain tiger prefers arid, open areas, and is found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, mountains, deciduous forests, and human-tended gardens in cities and parks. It is comfortable at altitudes ranging from sea level to around 1,500 m (4,900 ft).

Monday 30 October 2023

30-10-2023 ADOR CAMPO, VALENCIA - PLAIN TIGER BUTTERFLY (Danaus chrysippus)

The plain tiger is believed to be one of the first butterflies depicted in art. A 3,500-year-old ancient Egyptian fresco in Luxor features the oldest known illustration of this species.

Sunday 8 October 2023

8-10-2023 PEGO MARJAL, VALENCIA - PLAIN TIGER BUTTERFLY (Danaus chrysippus)

The plain tiger is believed to be one of the first butterflies depicted in art. A 3,500-year-old ancient Egyptian fresco in Luxor features the oldest known illustration of this species.