Plain Tiger
Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758), also known as the plain tiger or African monarch, is a butterfly species that belongs to the milkweed subfamily of the brush-footed butterfly family, Nymphalidae. The butterfly is widespread in Asia and Africa. The plain tiger is believed to be one of the first butterflies to be used in art. A 3500-year-old Egyptian fresco features the oldest illustration of this species.
This butterfly uses some interesting defense mechanisms. For instance, the plain tiger is protected from attacks due to the unpalatable alkaloids ingested during the larval stages. The butterfly, therefore, flies slowly and leisurely, generally close to the ground and in a straight line. This gives a wannabe predator ample time to recognise and avoid attacking it.
I found this species a few weeks ago at Polis, Cyprus. For those interested in the technical details, this is a handheld shot, taken with Nikon D750 and Nikon 105 mm f/2.8 VR, with a 1/200s shutter speed at f/11 and ISO 100, plus SB-900 flash diffused.
If you like what you see, do not hesitate to throw a star, or to leave a constructive comment! :-)
Plain Tiger
Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758), also known as the plain tiger or African monarch, is a butterfly species that belongs to the milkweed subfamily of the brush-footed butterfly family, Nymphalidae. The butterfly is widespread in Asia and Africa. The plain tiger is believed to be one of the first butterflies to be used in art. A 3500-year-old Egyptian fresco features the oldest illustration of this species.
This butterfly uses some interesting defense mechanisms. For instance, the plain tiger is protected from attacks due to the unpalatable alkaloids ingested during the larval stages. The butterfly, therefore, flies slowly and leisurely, generally close to the ground and in a straight line. This gives a wannabe predator ample time to recognise and avoid attacking it.
I found this species a few weeks ago at Polis, Cyprus. For those interested in the technical details, this is a handheld shot, taken with Nikon D750 and Nikon 105 mm f/2.8 VR, with a 1/200s shutter speed at f/11 and ISO 100, plus SB-900 flash diffused.
If you like what you see, do not hesitate to throw a star, or to leave a constructive comment! :-)