Glassy Blue Tiger | Danaus limniace PUPAE

Danaus limniace, commonly known as the Blue Tiger butterfly, is a striking species in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Danainae. Native to South and Southeast Asia, it is commonly found in countries like India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia. It inhabits diverse environments, including forests, gardens, and open areas with an abundance of nectar-rich flowers.

The Blue Tiger butterfly is easily recognized by its distinctive wing pattern. Its wings are primarily black, adorned with a mesmerizing array of pale blue or whitish spots and streaks. The undersides of the wings are paler but retain the same pattern, offering both camouflage and warning signals to predators. With a wingspan of about 7–9 cm, it is medium-sized and known for its graceful flight.

The lifecycle includes the typical butterfly stages: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult. The larvae are black with yellow and white stripes, feeding on plants from the Apocynaceae and Asclepiadaceae families, such as Calotropis. These host plants make the caterpillars and adults distasteful to predators due to their toxic compounds.

Difficulty - Easy (2/10)

Host plants - Dregea sp. 

Conditions - Room temperature or warmer

Lifecycle - Continually brooded; grows quickly