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Subfamily Danainae Danaus chrysippus

A Palaeotropical migrant arriving in the Levant almost
every spring. Several broods are raised throughout
the summer and autumn, but D. chrysippus is Chazara Moore, 1893
unable to survive cold winters experienced in the
#
north of the region. Elsewhere, in mild winters, the About 11 species, Palaearctic.
adults survive in the warmer biotopes of the rift Chazara persephone 2 species in the Levant.
valley, e.g. the Hula Lake in northern Jordan Valley
and Neot Smadar in S Negev. However the rising +RVWSODQWV Poaceae.
winter temperatures enable also mature larvae
21603-BRACHA-PARPAR - 21603-BRACHA-PARPAR | 2 - A | 22-01-02 | 12:34:17 | SR:-- | Magenta
21603-BRACHA-PARPAR - 21603-BRACHA-PARPAR | 2 - A | 22-01-02 | 12:34:17 | SR:-- | Yellow
and sometimes their pupae to survive December –
#21603-BRACHA-PARPAR - 21603-BRACHA-PARPAR | 2 - A | 22-01-02 | 12:34:17 | SR:-- | Black
21603-BRACHA-PARPAR - 21603-BRACHA-PARPAR | 2 - A | 22-01-02 | 12:34:17 | SR:-- | Cyan
January coldest months and to hatch in late February
(DB, breeding notes, Dan Sharon pers. comm.). In
years when the winter is mild, D. chrysippus may
establish temporary colonies, as in the 19th century
near Naples in Italy. In addition to taking nectar, the
species is known to be attracted to animal droppings,
urine and even carcases (Larsen, 2005a). The
adults are polymorphic, a cause of confusion among
earlier researchers, with some regarding each form Hypparchia Fabricius, 1807
as a distinct species, others opting for ssp. or semi-
species status. Today we know that these “forms” About 35 species, Palaearctic.
are genetic/climate-related & regulated or appear in Hipparchia fatua
the Levant following weather synoptic systems that 8 species in the Levant.
carry them from Africa as explained below. +RVWSODQWV Poaceae.
With its typical warning coloration Danaus chrysippus
is a model of mimicry to numerous tropical butterfly
families, but in the Levant only the female of the
rare Hypolimnas misippus mimics several forms of
the chrysippus. – see Mimicry paragraph in Vol. I.
Nine forms/sspp/sespp = f. are reported from the
Levant:

- The typical form f. chrysippus (L. 1758) has
honey-coloured wings and is the dominant form
in the Levant. Usually regarded as permanent
but in cold winters may retreat to warm enclaves
along the Jordan River - Arava Rift Valley or further Pseudochazara de Lesse, 1951
southwards. It may overwinter in the Levant as slow Pseudochazara pelopea
growing larvae or pupae (less cold resistant) while About 33 species, Palaearctic.
adults, eggs & young larvae perish. 6 species in the Levant.

- f. aegyptius* (Schreber 1759) described from +RVWSODQWV Poaceae
Egypt, is darker with reduced elongated white
markings on fws - illustr. 1. Compatibly with its
preference of warm biotopes/periods e.g. its T.L.
near Damietta in eastern Nile Valley, it usually
appears in the Levant in the autumn – early winter
when first rains and rising humidity combine with
still high temperatures form a temporary tropical-
like climate.
* Smith D. (2014: 174) does not accept its form status and
“relegated the name aegyptius…to the status of a junior heterotypic
synonym of chrysippus”. Vane-Wright & John (2019) in a detailed Satyrus Latreille, 1810.
& thorough “note on Papilio aegyptius Schreber, 1759”, further
substantiate its synonymy with Danaus chrysippus reminding us 13 species, Palaearctic.
that Linnaeus himself did it in 1764. Satyrus ferula 3 species in the Levant.
- f. alcippus (Cramer 1777) with large white patch +RVWSODQWV Poaceae.
over its hws and its reduced white markings f.
© Samir Hamza alcippoides (Moore 1883) that are dominant in W
Africa appear in the autumn populations of Israel
every year as explained for f. aegyptius, but in a
much lower frequencies. f. alcippus is very rare in

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2Butterflies of the Levant danaidae satyridae.indd 28 1/2/2022 12:14:14 PM 2Butterflies of the Levant danaidae satyridae.indd 21 12/30/2021 4:20:33 PM