A small family comprising about 300 species living mainly in tropical regions. Their wingspan is usually large and reaches up to about 180 mm. Their colors are usually dark - orange-brown to black with light spots. Their bodies are relatively delicate compared with their wings and are dark, speckled with white. Their front legs are atrophied. Males have a dark spot in the center of the hindwing that secretes pheromone (a fragrant chemical substance) that summons the female to mate.
The egg is barrel-shaped and has longitudinal grooves. The caterpillars are smooth, with two to three very long fleshy protrusions extending from their bodies and warning coloration. They feed mainly on poisonous plants from the milkweed family and taste foul, protecting them from predators even as adults. As poisonous butterflies, they serve as a model for imitation by many non-poisonous butterflies (mimicry). The pupa is smooth, suspended by its rear end, and barrel-shaped with a rounded form and usually bears knobs and spots in shiny metallic colors.
In Israel there is only one species: Plain Tiger, Danaus chrysippus.