The Plain
Tiger Danaus chrysippus 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. Male butterflies are slightly
smaller than females with the males identified 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. The Plain Tiger has an extensive range and can be found
throughout the Old World tropics, from Africa to Southeast Asia as well as
Australasia. Recently it has been discovered that there are three subspecies; Danaus chrysippus chrysippus is found in
Asia and tropical Africa, Danaus
chrysippus alcippus ranges from the Cape Verde Islands, across Africa to
Oman and Saudi Arabia, and Danaus
chrysippus orientis is predominantly found in tropical Africa and the
surrounding islands including Madagascar and the Seychelles. They inhabit open,
fairly arid areas and unlike other members of the Danaus genus, the Plain Tiger
often flies in open sunlight, even at the hottest point of the day.
