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Common Tiger-Danaus
genutia-Danaidae |
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| Native: S-E Asia, wingspan: 8 cm. |
The sexes are similar. The wings are tawny with
heavy black markings along the veins; this butterfly is called
the Striped Tiger in India. The scent patch on the male is oval
and is located on the second vein of the hind wing.
The upper side of the apex of the forewing is black. Below the
apex, a row of elongated white marks forms a loose band across
the wing. The black marginal band on the underside of the hind
wing has two rows of small white spots. On the upper side, the
corresponding inner row is often incomplete.
A common, widely distributed species that occurs below 3000 feet
elevation. However, unlike the Plain Tiger, it prefers wetter
areas and is rare in the driest parts of the land. An inhabitant
of lightly wooded areas, home gardens, hedge rows, waste places
and cultivated lands.
Its general behavior is similar to that of other Danaids. It is
entirely disinterested in mud-sipping.
The larvae feed on Ceropegia buchanani and Tylophora indica
.The caterpillar of the Common Tiger butterfly obtains a supply
of poison by eating poisonous plants, which makes the
caterpillar and butterfly a distasteful morsel for predators.
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Favourite flowers |
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Crotalaria juncea |
Nerium oleander |
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Barleria cristata rosea |
Bauhinia perpurea |
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Caterpillar feed on |
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Graphistemma-pictum |
Tylophora indica. |
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