Plain tiger (Danaus chrysippus) African monarch Butterfly
Plain tiger description
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderLepidoptera
FamilyNymphalidae
GenusDanaus (1)
This beautifully bright butterfly has captivated humankind’s attention since it was first depicted in an Egyptian tomb 3,500 years ago, making it the first ever butterfly to be recorded in history. Its striking tawny-orange colouration serves as a warning to predators that this species is distasteful, which ultimately deters predators from attacking (3). Framing the startlingly orange hues is a bold black border interlaced with white specks. At first sight the sexes appear very similar, although upon closer inspection one can see the males are slightly smaller than the females. The males can also be distinguished by the presence of a black scent-producing pouch located in the lower-centre of the hind wing; on the underside of the wing it appears as a white-centred black patch. In addition, the males have a pair of brush-like organs hidden within the abdomen, which are used in reproduction (2).
Similar to the adult butterfly, the plain tiger caterpillar has extremely vivid colouration which also acts as a warning signal protecting it from bird attacks. As the caterpillar grows it attains ten horizontal black bands interspersed with paired yellow spots, as well as acquiring three pairs of long, black, tentacle-like appendages, which sometimes become a deep crimson at the base (4). The fully grown caterpillar then forms a pupa which can range from a green-brown colour in a normal environment to a pink colour if the surroundings are dry or unnatural. A horizontal band of miniscule black and golden specks decorate the abdominal segment of the pupa (5).
Also known as African monarch, Lesser wanderer.
Size
Wingspan: 6 – 8 cm (2)
Plain tiger (Danaus chrysippus) African monarch Butterfly
Plain tiger description
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderLepidoptera
FamilyNymphalidae
GenusDanaus (1)
This beautifully bright butterfly has captivated humankind’s attention since it was first depicted in an Egyptian tomb 3,500 years ago, making it the first ever butterfly to be recorded in history. Its striking tawny-orange colouration serves as a warning to predators that this species is distasteful, which ultimately deters predators from attacking (3). Framing the startlingly orange hues is a bold black border interlaced with white specks. At first sight the sexes appear very similar, although upon closer inspection one can see the males are slightly smaller than the females. The males can also be distinguished by the presence of a black scent-producing pouch located in the lower-centre of the hind wing; on the underside of the wing it appears as a white-centred black patch. In addition, the males have a pair of brush-like organs hidden within the abdomen, which are used in reproduction (2).
Similar to the adult butterfly, the plain tiger caterpillar has extremely vivid colouration which also acts as a warning signal protecting it from bird attacks. As the caterpillar grows it attains ten horizontal black bands interspersed with paired yellow spots, as well as acquiring three pairs of long, black, tentacle-like appendages, which sometimes become a deep crimson at the base (4). The fully grown caterpillar then forms a pupa which can range from a green-brown colour in a normal environment to a pink colour if the surroundings are dry or unnatural. A horizontal band of miniscule black and golden specks decorate the abdominal segment of the pupa (5).
Also known as African monarch, Lesser wanderer.
Size
Wingspan: 6 – 8 cm (2)