Danaus melanippus hegesippus (Black-Veined Tiger) 
The Black-Veined TigerThe Black Veined Tiger belongs to the Subfamily Danainae, and is a distant cousin of the famous American Monarch Butterfly - Danaus plexippus. The butterfly, with its bright colours, is distasteful to predators. The Black Veined Tiger can usually be found near coastal / mangrove areas. It is attracted to the dried plants of Heliotropium indicum.
This species is often confused with the Common Tiger (Danaus genutia genutia) which is resembles.  The broad submarginal black band in the Black Veined Tiger is broader and this distinguishes it from the Common Tiger.  Unlike the Common Tiger, this species has no orange forms.
The Black Veined Tiger is found commonly on Pulau Tekong, where the Common Tiger is mysteriously absent.
Back 
Back to Contents Next Species