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Plain Tiger
Danaus chrysippus
-28.3206, 153.459
Field Notes
Description:
Monarchs and Tigers belong to the genus Danaus. They are large butterflies, characterised by their orange wings, which have a black apex, and white subapical spots. On the males there is a patch of raised androconial scales on the hindwings. The bright colours advertise their poisonous qualities to birds in the same way that the bands of yellow and black of wasps advertise the fact that they can sting. Any bird that attempts to eat the butterfly will immediately vomit and suffer nausea and other side effects. Birds have excellent memories and an ability to learn from unpleasant experiences, so consequently avoid eating similarly coloured butterflies in the future.
Habitat:
This species occurs in many habitats ranging from deserts to savannah grasslands, dry deciduous woodlands, humid sub-tropical forests, gardens, parks and cities at altitudes between sea level and about 1500m. Danaus chrysippus is found across the entire African continent and throughout tropical Asia. It also occurs on most of the islands of the south Pacific. In Australia it is common in the north, becoming scarcer in the south, and with only occasional records from Tasmania.
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