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

Species Danaus gilippus - Queen

Classification · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Life Cycle · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited
Queen Larva - Danaus gilippus Chrysalis - Danaus gilippus Queen larva - Danaus gilippus Captive Raised - Danaus gilippus Captive Raised - Danaus gilippus Captive Raised - Danaus gilippus yellow, black & white caterpillar - Danaus gilippus yellow, black & white caterpillar - 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)
Genus Danaus
Species gilippus (Queen)
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.
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
Last updated 19 September, 2008 - 12:13am

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