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Genus Danaus

Monarch For Illinois In October - Danaus plexippus

Monarch on Liatris aspera - Danaus plexippus

Queen Butterfly Life Cycle - Danaus gilippus

Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Papilionoidea (Butterflies and Skippers)

Family Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)

Subfamily Danainae (Milkweed Butterflies & Glasswings)

Tribe Danaini (Milkweed Butterflies)

Genus Danaus

Other Common Names

Milkweeds, Tigers, Monarchs, Queens and Soldiers.

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.

12 species worldwide.

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)

Internet References

Danaus. Wikipedia

Works Cited

1.	The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide James A. Scott. 1992. Stanford University Press.

Contributed by Cotinis on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset, Chuck Entz
Last updated 22 June, 2013 - 6:40pm

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