Danaidae

The characteristics of the family include

Medium to large butterflies. Their tough leathery wings are predominantly orange/yellow to brown

The forelegs are modified into brushes and are not used for walking especially in males

The males of Danaus genus have secondary sexual characteristics (androconia) consisting of a pouch on vein 2 of the hindwing, and retractile anal hair pencils

Some Danaidae have amazing migratory flights travelling thousands of miles in huge swarms

Larvae are smooth and cylindrical with parallel rows of black ,white or yellow stripes , and two or more pairs of tentacles which are universal in the family

Pupae are smooth and bulbous sometimes with gold or silver flecks and suspended by a cremaster without a supporting girdle

Foodplants include Asclepiadaceae and Apocynaceae -milkweed butterflies

Many species share mimetic relationships with species from other families ,especially Ithomiids

Danaidae are very tough and resilient , captured and presumed dead specimens often happily flying away from the collecting jar!