African Monarch

Afrikaans name: Melkbosskoenlapper

isiZulu name: Ingwe Engenalutho Yase-Afrika

isiXhosa name: Ingwe yase AfrikaengenaMabala

The common African Monarch butterfly

Photo © Steven Herbert

Danaus chrysippus

The African Monarch is one of the most well-known species of butterflies in the world. Besides occurring across Africa it is found in southern Europe and most of southern Asia.

It many publications it is called the Plain Tiger.

The African Monarch can have a wingspan of 7 cm or more. Males are slightly smaller than females, but they are more brightly coloured.

This butterfly is distasteful and is not predated on heavily. Because of this it flies more directly than other species who have to fly erratically to avoid predators.

Females lay one egg per leaf on a suitable food plant. This ensure that the baby caterpillars do not have to compete for food. The caterpillars are large and are boldly coloured. The body is blackish and has patches of yellow and black along its back. This pattern alerts would-be predators that these caterpillars are not good to eat.

References and further reading

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 169

What s That Butterfly - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2008 - Page: 224

What s That Butterfly - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2008 - Page: 493

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 84

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 246

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 96

The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 135

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 343

Self-guided Trails in Durban - Author: Durban Corporation - Published: 0 - Page: 122

Sasol First Field Guide to Butterflies & Moths of Southern Africa - Author: Simon van Noort - Published: 0 - Page: 17

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 48

Pocket Guide - Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker & Charles Griffiths - Published: 2015 - Page: 124

Ivor Migdoll s Field Guide to the Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Ivor Migdoll - Published: 1987 - Page: 145

Insects of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Clarke H. Scholtz and Erik Holm - Published: 1989 - Page: 375

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 398

Gardening for Butterflies - Author: Steve Woodhall & Lindsay Gray - Published: 2015 - Page: 30

Field Guide to Insects of the Kruger National Park - Author: Leo Braack - Published: 1991 - Page: 38

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2020 - Page: 42

Field Guide to Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths and Alan Weaving - Published: 0 - Page: 370

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 1st edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2005 - Page: 36

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 88

Familiar South African Butterflies - Author: Clive Quickelberge - Published: 1986 - Page: 18

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 52

Butterflies of the Western Cape - Author: A.J.M. Claassens - Published: 2005 - Page: 20

Butterflies of the Kruger National Park - Author: Johan Kloppers and the late Dr. G. Van Son - Published: 1978 - Page: 57

African Wildlife - Vol 36 No 4/5 - Author: - Published: 1982 - Page: 182

Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Hugo Germishuys - Published: 1982 - Page: 44

Butterflies of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Mark Williams - Published: 1994 - Page: 149

African Insect Life - revised edition - Author: S.H. Skaife - Published: 1979 - Page: 233

For more info: Sabinet

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