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This is a very common species which bears close resemblance to the famous Monarch butterfly od the Americas. They belong to the Danidae group of butterflies within the Nymphalidae family. This strikingly beautiful butterfly is found throughout the lowlands and is occasionally seen in the city of Colombo. The Common Tiger becomes less abundant in mid hills and rare in the higher hills. This species is found throughout India, Myanmar, South-East Asia and Australia.

The conservation of this species is regarded as “Least Concerned” (National Red List 2012).

This is a species protected under the Fauna & Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No.22 of 2009.

The Common Tiger deploys an interesting adaptation in order to protect itself from predators. They lay eggs on plants of the Asclepiadaceae family which produce latex containing poisonous toxins. The larva that feed on the leaves retain these toxins in adequate amounts in their bodies as caterpillars and adults. These compounds make them smell unpleasant and quite unpalatable to the usual predators of butterflies. Over thousands of years the patterns of their wings are imprinted on the minds of these predators, and they avoid preying on them. If they are caught by any predator they are soon discarded. At which point the Common Tiger will fall to the ground and fake death. Their bodies are of a leathery texture and can withstand such attacks and falls. Within a few minutes the “dead” butterfly will come to life and fly away. This adaptation also permits these butterflies to fly slow when feeding and conserve their energy. The males of this species along with others Danidae butterflies will often congregate to feed on the Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids contained in the sap produced by plants such as Crotalaria (Rattle Pods). Other species including the female of the Common Palm Fly mimic the Common Tiger to protect themselves from being predated by birds.

The host plants of this species include native species such as “Wel Mottu” Ceropegia candelabrum, “Kan Kumbala” Cynanchum tunicatum and “Heen Madahangu” Oxystelma esculentum

This is a very common species in and around Wilpattu.