Life History of the Plain Tiger - Wildlife Gardeners

bridget1964 · 11-16-2010, 08:36 PM

Butterflies of Singapore: Life History of the Plain Tiger

I did not know about this 'milkweed butterfly' from Singapore! Strikingly beautiful!

After reading the article, can any of you notice the similarities and differences between the Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus chrysippus) and the Monarch (Danaus plexippus)?

dapjwy · 11-16-2010, 08:56 PM

It is beautiful...and exotic. Another reason (in my opinion) to keep each region filled with natives that attract the local wildlife. When visiting an area, I'd love to see what makes it unique--flora and fauna. Is there a strong interest in other countries in the native plant movement and in preserving their own native plants and wildlife?

--Sorry, I got way off topic here. Strange what seeing your butterfly sparked in me.

Had you not said anything about comparing it to the Monarch, I'd never have thought of it...I can't put my finger on it, but they do seem to have something in common.

bridget1964 · 11-16-2010, 09:09 PM

I guess if you haven't seen all the stages of the monarch's life cycle, maybe it is not so obvious...

Not sure if other countries care about native plants, but I guess I can research and found out!

dapjwy · 11-16-2010, 09:12 PM

~smile~ You have a lot more experience than most of us (the general public) in that area! You should be proud of yourself.

Wanna tell me what they have in common? Give a hint?

The eggs? ....am I warm or cold? ~wink~

dapjwy · 11-16-2010, 09:15 PM

Boy do I feel dumb!

I guess I didn't scroll down far enough. OBVIOUSLY the look of the caterpillar especially its later instars (did I use that correctly?).

...and the fact that they use milkweed as a host.

dapjwy · 11-16-2010, 09:17 PM

...And the chrysalis looks basically identical (to me anyway).

bridget1964 · 11-16-2010, 09:24 PM

Don't feel dumb, silly! If you don't see monarch eggs or chrysalides up close, how would you know?

And yeah, I think the caterpillar does look very similar. A monarch caterpillar has two sets of tentacles while the plain tiger has 3!

dapjwy · 11-16-2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bridget1964

Don't feel dumb, silly! If you don't see monarch eggs or chrysalides up close, how would you know?

And yeah, I think the caterpillar does look very similar. A monarch caterpillar has two sets of tentacles while the plain tiger has 3!

I feel dumb that I was guessing without having seen the necessary pictures.

...and, don't forget, this is the first year that I *did* see them close up as caterpillars, I've seen pictures of the chrysalis, and I saw the empty "shell" of a chrysalis up close in real life!

ButterflyLinda · 11-19-2010, 05:57 PM

Have you ever seen the cats of the Queen butterfly? They look like those cats!

dapjwy · 11-19-2010, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButterflyLinda

Have you ever seen the cats of the Queen butterfly? They look like those cats!

Not yet, ButterflyLinda...except maybe here if you posted any, but I do hope to see them and a lot more as my habitat continues to improve.

11-16-2010, 08:36 PM	#1
bridget1964 Butterfly Educator Extraordinaire Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ventnor City, New Jersey, USA	Life History of the Plain Tiger Butterflies of Singapore: Life History of the Plain Tiger I did not know about this 'milkweed butterfly' from Singapore! Strikingly beautiful! After reading the article, can any of you notice the similarities and differences between the Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus chrysippus) and the Monarch (Danaus plexippus)? __________________ "Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." ~Hans Christian Anderson http://mslenahan.edublogs.org/

11-16-2010, 09:24 PM	#7
bridget1964 Butterfly Educator Extraordinaire Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ventnor City, New Jersey, USA	Don't feel dumb, silly! If you don't see monarch eggs or chrysalides up close, how would you know? And yeah, I think the caterpillar does look very similar. A monarch caterpillar has two sets of tentacles while the plain tiger has 3! __________________ "Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." ~Hans Christian Anderson http://mslenahan.edublogs.org/

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11-16-2010, 08:56 PM	#2
dapjwy WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pennsylvania	It is beautiful...and exotic. Another reason (in my opinion) to keep each region filled with natives that attract the local wildlife. When visiting an area, I'd love to see what makes it unique--flora and fauna. Is there a strong interest in other countries in the native plant movement and in preserving their own native plants and wildlife? --Sorry, I got way off topic here. Strange what seeing your butterfly sparked in me. Had you not said anything about comparing it to the Monarch, I'd never have thought of it...I can't put my finger on it, but they do seem to have something in common.

11-16-2010, 09:09 PM	#3
bridget1964 Butterfly Educator Extraordinaire Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ventnor City, New Jersey, USA	I guess if you haven't seen all the stages of the monarch's life cycle, maybe it is not so obvious... Not sure if other countries care about native plants, but I guess I can research and found out!

11-16-2010, 09:12 PM	#4
dapjwy WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pennsylvania	~smile~ You have a lot more experience than most of us (the general public) in that area! You should be proud of yourself. Wanna tell me what they have in common? Give a hint? The eggs? ....am I warm or cold? ~wink~

11-16-2010, 09:15 PM	#5
dapjwy WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pennsylvania	Boy do I feel dumb! I guess I didn't scroll down far enough. OBVIOUSLY the look of the caterpillar especially its later instars (did I use that correctly?). ...and the fact that they use milkweed as a host.

11-16-2010, 09:17 PM	#6
dapjwy WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pennsylvania	...And the chrysalis looks basically identical (to me anyway).

11-19-2010, 05:57 PM	#9
ButterflyLinda Salamander Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas	Have you ever seen the cats of the Queen butterfly? They look like those cats!