The below photograph of Plain Tiger Danaus
chrysippus was taken in the bottom valley of the Raydah Escarpment in the
Asir Mountains of southwest Saudi Arabia. This butterfly 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.
