It appears (from analysis of mtDNA sequences, which are only inherited from the mother) that the dorippus tiger is the product of an ancient lineage of Danaus hybridizing with plain tiger females.

From the color pattern of this species, it can be assumed that the ancient lineage had no black apex on the forewings, as this character is still absent in D. dorippus.Danaus dorippus is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 60–80 millimetres (2.4–3.1 in).

The wings are tawny and have a thin border of black enclosing a series of semicircular white spots.

This species is mimicked (Batesian mimicry) by the females of Hypolimnas misippus, form inaria,[4] that has orange forewing tip with white spotting.

This species can be found in eastern and southern Africa (mainly in Kenya, Uganda, Erythrea, Oman, Tanzania) and sporadically in India.