花香鳥語

放大圖片

虎斑蝶

　■特徵：a.翅背橙紅色，翅脈黑色，黑黑的邊緣上有小白點；前翅端黑色，有白斑；b.牠的翅膀展開平放時，約有8厘米長。

　■幼蟲以有毒的植物為食料，如：天星藤。將毒素積聚在體內。當捕食者嚐過中毒後，便會減低捕獵牠們的興趣。成蟲則吸食花蜜，所以在花朵盛放的地方較容易找到牠。成蟲身上鮮艷的顏色，其實是一種信息，用來警告捕獵者牠是有毒的，切勿捕食。

Common Tiger

　■The upper surfaces of Common Tigers' wings are orange-red, with black veins - hence the name, Common Tiger. The tips of the forewings are black with white dots and the wingspan is about 8cm.

　■Common Tiger caterpillars feed on poisonous Painted Graphistemma. The plant's toxin will accumulate in its body, even after it becomes an adult. When predators have once been poisoned by feeding on either the caterpillar or the adult, the predators' desire to catch them will subside. The adults feed on nectar. You can easily find them in places with abundant flowers. Its bright colours warn any predators that it may be poisonous and unsuitable for eating. 　■資料：漁護署