Editorial photo #9940984 Human Interest

Animal India

The plain tiger (Danaus chrysippus) butterfly also known as African queen, or African monarch, is a medium-sized butterfly widespread in Asia, Australia, and Africa. It belongs to the Danainae subfamily of the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. The plain tiger butterfly primarily consumes milkweed, which contains toxic compounds, and cardenolides. Because of their emetic properties, the plain tiger is unpalatable to most predators. The plain tiger prefers arid, open areas, and is found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, mountains, deciduous forests, and human-tended gardens in cities and parks. It is comfortable at altitudes ranging from sea level to around 1,500 m (4,900 ft). A plain tiger (Danaus chrysippus) butterfly is perched on wild plants in a forest in Tehatta, West Bengal, India 19/04/2023. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)