Danaus chrysippus chrysippus

A large distinct orange, black, and white butterfly with a wingspan of 70-80 mm, conspicuous and easily recognisable. Also called the “African queen,” the plain prefers dry habitats, such as coasts, farmland, gardens, riversides, grassland, thickets, woodland, stony slopes, and semi-desert. Host plants include hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium), morning-glories (Ipomoea spp.), figs (Ficus spp.), snapdragons (Antirrhinum spp.), spurges (Euphorbia spp.), hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.), and roses (Rosa spp.). This migratory species flies from March through October in a number of broods, the flight is slow and strong. The plain is also toxic, a reason why other butterflies, like the false plain, mimic it.

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Photographs

Attribution: Jeevan Jose (Wikipedia Creative Commons)

Attribution: Zeynel Cebeci (Wikipedia Creative Commons)

Attribution: Anton Croos (Wikipedia Creative Commons)

Attribution: Sathya K Selvam (Wikipedia Creative Commons)

Attribution: Dr. Raju Kasambe (Wikipedia Creative Commons)

Attribution: J.M. Garg (Wikipedia Creative Commons)

Attribution: Atudu (Wikipedia Creative Commons)

Attribution: Monniert (Wikipedia Creative Commons)

 Attribution: Husein Zorkot