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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Butterflies (excluding skippers) (Papilionoidea) » Brushfooted Butterflies (Nymphalidae) » Milkweed Butterflies & Glasswings (Danainae) » Milkweed Butterflies (Danaini) » Danaus » Queen (Danaus gilippus)

Species Danaus gilippus - Queen

Classification · Other Common Names · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Life Cycle · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

First Queens of spring - Danaus gilippus - female

Danaus gilippus - Queen - Egg - Danaus gilippus

Queen Butterfly Life Cycle - Danaus gilippus - female

Queen Butterfly Life Cycle - Danaus gilippus

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 & Glasswings)

Tribe Danaini (Milkweed Butterflies)

Genus Danaus

Species gilippus (Queen)

Other Common Names

Reina

Size

Wingspan 6.7-9.8 cm

Identification

Similar to Monarch, but dark brown. See references for comparison with Soldier, Danaus eresimus.

Range

Southwestern, central, and southeastern United States, southward into Mexico, Central/South America. Somewhat migratory.

Habitat

Open areas with hostplants.

Season

All year in southern United States, July-August in northern part of range.

Food

Adults take nectar.

Life Cycle

Larva feed on Milkweeds, Asclepias, also other genera in Milkweed and Dogbane(?) families.

Click on an image to view the life cycle:

See Also

Relatives: Soldier, Monarch. Also the unrelated Viceroy.

Print References

Brock, p. 228 (1)

Glassberg, p. 144, plate 45 (2)

Scott, #90, fig. 51 (p. 134--larva) p. 231, plate 19 (3)

Internet References

Butterflies of North America

Butterflies and Skippers of North America

Dallas Butterflies

RLE Photo

Collection of photos & information from a variety of sources on Discover Life: Danaus gilippus

At Butterflies of North America:

Danaus gilippus berenice

Danaus gilippus thersippus

Works Cited

1.	Butterflies of North America (Kaufman Focus Guides) By Jim P. Brock, Kenn Kaufman

2.	Butterflies Through Binoculars: The East By Jeffrey Glassberg

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

Contributed by Cotinis on 26 May, 2004 - 2:33pm
Additional contributions by Hartmut Wisch, David Ferguson, Wisconsin Oecanthinancy
Last updated 25 February, 2012 - 8:46pm

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