Milkweed Butterflies & Glasswings
Danainae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Papilionoidea
- Family: Nymphalidae
- Subfamily: Danainae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Danainae: /ˈdænəˌnaɪ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Danainae is a subfamily of brush-footed butterflies known for their vibrant colors and association with milkweeds. They include approximately 300 species, primarily found in tropical regions and are critical for pollination.
Physical Characteristics
Adults are aposematic (brightly colored as a warning signal). Larvae have thoracic tubercles.
Identification Tips
Look for brightly colored adult butterflies, the presence of larvae on milkweed plants, and characteristic body shapes of caterpillars with tubercles.
Habitat
Tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in Asia and Africa; also found in the Neotropics and parts of Australia.
Distribution
Widespread distribution with most species found in tropical Asia and Africa; some species in North America, particularly the monarch butterfly.
Diet
Larvae feed on milkweed species (family Apocynaceae), which often contain latex-like compounds.
Life Cycle
Eggs are laid on host plants, primarily milkweeds. Caterpillars feed on these plants before pupating and emerging as adults.
Reproduction
Females lay eggs on milkweed plants, which serve as food for the larvae.
Predators
Numerous wasps and tachinid flies are parasitoids of milkweed butterfly caterpillars.
Conservation Status
Threatened by habitat loss, use of pesticides, and decline of native milkweed species, particularly affecting the monarch butterfly.
Ecosystem Role
Pollinators and indicators of ecological health, as well as part of the food web as prey for various insects and animals.
Economic Impact
Can influence the health of agricultural systems through pollination; their migratory patterns can impact local ecosystems.
Cultural Significance
The monarch butterfly is a symbol of migration and transformation in many cultures and is well-known in folklore and education.
Evolution
Danainae is believed to have originated more than 20–30 million years ago. Fossil evidence includes Archaeolycorea from the Oligocene or Miocene.
Misconceptions
Milkweed butterflies are often wrongly assumed to be harmful; in fact, their toxicity is a defense mechanism against predators.
Tags
- butterflies
- Danainae
- milkweed
- insects
- Lepidoptera