Genus Danaus

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Range · Habitat · Food · Life Cycle · Print References · Works Cited

Monarch Butterfly On Rabbitbrush - Danaus plexippus

Queen Butterfly - Danaus gilippus - male

Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Papilionoidea (Butterflies (excluding skippers))

Family Nymphalidae (Brushfooted Butterflies)

Subfamily Danainae (Milkweed Butterflies)

Genus Danaus

Explanation of Names

A name from Greek mythology. Danaus (Greek δαναος) was son of Belus, king of Egypt and twin brother to Aegyptus. Apparently Aegyptus ruled in Egypt and Danaus in Libya. Danaus was driven out of the area by his brother and went to Argos in Greece. His daughters were the Danaids. I can't see any particular connection of Danaus to the genus, other than the regal nature of the butterflies.

Numbers

Scott, (1) pp. 228-232, lists three North American species: Monarch, D. plexippus; Queen, D. gilippus; Soldier, D. eresimus.

Range

D. plexippus, The Monarch, is widespread in North America, esp. in migration. D. gilippus, The Queen, is resident in south Texas, parts of the southwest, and southern Florida. It wanders north. D. eresimus, The Soldier, is resident in south Florida, and is a stray to south Texas and the southwest.

Habitat

Open areas with hostplants, flowers.

Food

Adults take nectar.

Life Cycle

Larvae feed on milkweed, Asclepias.

Print References

Scott, pp. 228-232 (1)

Works Cited

1.	The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide By James A. Scott

Contributed by Cotinis on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by Chuck Entz
Last updated 28 August, 2007 - 2:26am

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