{"id":1714,"date":"2025-06-21T07:41:22","date_gmt":"2025-06-21T07:41:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/macrostock.eu\/?p=1714"},"modified":"2025-06-21T07:41:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-21T07:41:22","slug":"common-tiger-danaus-genutia-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/macrostock.karits.eu\/index.php\/2025\/06\/21\/common-tiger-danaus-genutia-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Common tiger (Danaus genutia)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Download full size image<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Common Tiger (Danaus genutia<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(also known as the Striped Tiger)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Common Tiger<\/strong> is a striking butterfly belonging to the family Nymphalidae<\/strong>, subfamily Danainae<\/strong> (the milkweed butterflies), and closely related to the famous Monarch (Danaus plexippus<\/em>)<\/strong>. It is one of the most widespread and familiar butterflies in tropical and subtropical Asia, admired for its graceful flight and vivid coloration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83e\udd8b Identification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • Wingspan<\/strong>: 70\u201395 mm<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Coloration<\/strong>:\n
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    • Upperside<\/strong>: Bright orange<\/strong> with bold black borders<\/strong> and white spots<\/strong> on the forewings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Veins<\/strong> on wings are strongly black-lined<\/strong>, giving the “striped” appearance that distinguishes it from the Monarch<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Hindwings<\/strong>: Orange with black margins and a series of small white spots along the edge<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Underside<\/strong>: Paler, with similar patterns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Sexual dimorphism<\/strong>:\n
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      • Males have a characteristic black scent patch (androconial spot)<\/strong> on the hindwings, used during courtship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        \ud83c\udf3f Habitat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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        • Occurs in a wide range of habitats, including:\n
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          • Tropical and subtropical forests<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Scrublands<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Gardens<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Urban parks<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Roadsides and open fields<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            The Common Tiger is highly adaptable and often found near human settlements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            \ud83c\udf31 Food Plants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            Larval host plants<\/strong> (all members of the milkweed family Apocynaceae<\/em> and Asclepiadaceae<\/em>):<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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            • Calotropis spp.<\/strong> (e.g., giant milkweed Calotropis gigantea<\/em>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Cynanchum spp.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Tylophora spp.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Asclepias spp.<\/strong> (milkweeds)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              The caterpillars ingest toxic compounds (cardenolides) from these plants, making both caterpillars and adults distasteful to predators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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              \ud83d\udd01 Life Cycle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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              • Eggs<\/strong>: Laid singly on the underside of host plant leaves<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Larvae<\/strong>: Striking caterpillars with black, white, and yellow stripes, and pairs of long black filaments<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Pupation<\/strong>: Forms a beautiful green chrysalis with golden spots<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Adults<\/strong>: Can breed year-round in tropical climates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                \ud83c\udf0d Distribution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                • Widely distributed across:\n
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                  • South Asia<\/strong> (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Southeast Asia<\/strong> (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Parts of southern China<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Occasionally seen in northern Australia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                    \ud83e\uddec Interesting Facts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                    • Mimicry<\/strong>:\n
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                      • The Common Tiger is part of a mimicry complex<\/strong>; many butterflies mimic its warning coloration to deter predators.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • Its resemblance to the Monarch often confuses observers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • Defense<\/strong>:\n
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                        • The toxins accumulated from host plants render it unpalatable to birds<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Its slow, gliding flight is typical of toxic butterflies that rely on warning coloration rather than speed to avoid predators.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Cultural significance<\/strong>: Frequently appears in Asian folklore, art, and butterfly parks due to its beauty and approachability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                          \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f Conservation Status<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                          • IUCN Red List<\/strong>: Not threatened<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Populations are generally stable or increasing<\/strong> due to adaptability and wide host plant range.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                            The Common Tiger (Danaus genutia<\/em>)<\/strong> is a spectacular and important butterfly species, playing a key role in tropical ecosystems as both pollinator and as part of complex mimicry and predator-prey interactions. Its bright, bold pattern makes it one of the most easily recognized butterflies in Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n