Danaus eresimus

Distinguished from Monarch (Danaus plexippus) by darker, less orange coloration and lighter vein markings; Monarch has heavier black-lined veins and pale yellowish wing undersides. Distinguished from Queen (Danaus gilippus) by presence of black-marked veins (nearly absent in Queen) and white forewing submarginal spots limited to upperside (present on both surfaces in Queen).

Wingspan 64–76 mm (2.5–3.5 inches). Upperside dark reddish brown with forewings sometimes bearing white submarginal spots; veins lightly marked with black. Males possess a black scent patch on each hindwing. Underside dark brown with postmedian band of squarish spots. Subspecies D. e. flexaure has more extensive white markings on hindwing underside.

Open subtropical habitats including citrus groves, weedy water edges where host plants occur, dry fields, and other disturbed or semi-natural open areas.

North America (southern Florida, southern Texas), Caribbean, and South America. Specific records from Colombia (Pasto, Villavicencio), Ecuador (Reserva Ecológica Arenillas), and Mexico (Oaxaca).

Southern Florida: February to December, peak abundance October to December. Southern Texas: August to January.

Larvae feed on Apocynaceae host plants including Asclepias curassavica, Calotropis procera, Cynanchum racemosum, Funastrum clausum, Morrenia odorata, Spigelia anthelmia, and Telminostelma foetidum. Adult diet not explicitly documented in sources.

• Asclepias curassavica - larval hostTropical milkweed
• Calotropis procera - larval hostSodom apple
• Cynanchum racemosum - larval hostTalayote
• Funastrum clausum - larval hostWhite vine
• Morrenia odorata - larval hostStrangler vine
• Spigelia anthelmia - larval hostWest Indian pinkroot
• Telminostelma foetidum - larval hostDocumented in Oaxaca, Mexico; new host record
• Diplolepis nummerlariifolia - larval host

Eggs bright orange. Larva black with white and yellow transverse bands, subdorsal row of yellowish-tan spots, and six black fleshy filaments (first pair near head, second on thorax, third at abdominal terminus). Chrysalis similar to Monarch, often indistinguishable. Multiple broods per year (three or more).

Flight slow and approachable; individuals will fly some distance if approached too closely. Males patrol for females.

Larval herbivore on chemically defended Apocynaceae; sequesters cardiac glycosides for predator defense. Adult likely serves as pollinator.

• Danaus plexippusMore orange coloration, heavier black-lined veins, pale yellowish wing undersides; larger size and migratory behavior in North American populations.
• Danaus gilippusNearly lacks black-marked veins; white forewing submarginal spots present on both wing surfaces (not just upperside).

• milkweed butterfly
• chemical defense
• cardiac glycosides
• Apocynaceae

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
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