PLAIN TIGER

Scientific name: Danaus chrisippus

  Local Name: Biblya Kadva

  Field Characteristics:

  Wing Span : 70 to 80  mm.

Tawny coloured medium sized butterfly. Body is black spotted with white. The apex half of the fore wing is black and marked with a white band. Hind wing has three small black spots. Males have an additional larger and slightly bulging white centered spot. Hind wing has a thin black border enclosing a series of semi circular white spots.

  Distribution and Habitat:

Commonly frequents clearings and edges of forests scrubs and neglected corners of gardens. It is not found in large numbers.

  Activity: It is more common in monsoons and early post monsoons.

  Habits:

This butterfly is unpalatable due to presence of alkaloids, which it consumes as a caterpillar.  It’s flight is slow. It flies straight and close to the ground. This Butterfly basks with it’s wings spread flat .It however folds the wings while resting.

  Food :

Feeds on flower nectar of lantana, tagetus, cosmos and other plants.

Host plant: Rui.

  Mimicry : The Danaid Eggfly  female mimics this species for protection.