Whilst birdwatching near Tanoumah in
summer this year I photographed the below Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus. The Plain Tiger 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.