13 February 2016

Life History of the Common Tiger

Life History of the Common Tiger (Danaus genutia genutia)


Butterfly Biodata:
Genus: Danaus Kluk, 1802
Species: genutia Cramer, 1779
Subspecies: genutia Cramer, 1779
Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 70-80mm
Caterpillar Local Host Plants: Cynanchum ovalifolium (Apocynaceae), Cynanchum tunicatum (Apocynaceae).




Common Tiger form genutia.

Physical Description of Adult Butterfly:
On the upperside, the forewings are orange with a series of white spots in a broad, black apical border. The hindwings are either orange in form genutia or white with border tinged with orange in form intermedius. All veins on both fore- and hindwings are broadly marked with black. Marginal and submarginal series of small white spots are embedded in a black border at terminal margins of both wings. On the underside, the wings are similarly marked as per the upperside but with apical border orangey brown on the forewing

Common Tiger form intermedius.

Common Tiger form intermedius.

Common Tiger form genutia.

Field Observations of Butterfly Behaviour:
Both forms of the Common Tiger can be found in Singapore with form genutia being the more common of the two. This species is typically found in urban or sub-urban areas where its host plants are available. The adults typically visits flowers and has a fondness for sap exuded by Crotalaria spp.