Hodges#4615
Danaus gilippus
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Papilionoidea
- Family: Nymphalidae
- Subfamily: Danainae
- Tribe: Danaini
- Genus: Danaus
- Species: gilippus
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Danaus gilippus: //ˈdænəʊs ɡɪˈlɪpəs//
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Images
Summary
Danaus gilippus, also known as the Queen butterfly, is a North and South American butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is known for its distinct coloration and feeding habits, relying on milkweeds for its larval diet and nectar from various flowers as an adult. The species exhibits a complex life cycle and mating behaviors and is notable for its chemical defenses against predators.
Physical Characteristics
Adults are orange or brown with black wing borders and small white forewing spots. The ventral hindwings have black veins and small white spots in a black border. The male has a black androconial scent patch on its dorsal hindwings. Wingspan ranges from 6.7 to 9.8 cm (3.1 to 3.3 in).
Identification Tips
Distinguishable from the monarch butterfly by its darker brown coloration and lack of wing stripes. The mature caterpillar is darker and less brightly colored than that of the monarch. The female uses her short forelegs to scratch surfaces to find suitable host plants for egg laying.
Habitat
Found in open land, meadows, fields, marshes, deserts, and at forest edges.
Distribution
Mostly found in southern US regions such as Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California; also present as far south as Argentina, as well as in Cuba. Occasionally strays may be found as far north as Kansas, Colorado, and Utah.
Diet
Larvae feed on milkweeds (Asclepias) and some other members of the Apocynaceae family, while adults primarily feed on nectar from flowers, rotting fruit, and occasionally sweat and dung.
Life Cycle
Females lay eggs individually on host plants. Larvae go through six instars before pupation. The adult emerges 7 to 10 days after pupation.
Reproduction
Females can mate up to 15 times a day. Males patrol to find females, using hair-pencils during courtship to release pheromones to attract mates.
Predators
Unpalatability to avian predators due to cardenolide content obtained from larval host plants. Responses of predators vary based on the larval diet of the queen.
Conservation Status
Secure, with no reported management needs.
Ecosystem Role
As a pollinator, contributes to the health of ecosystems; larvae impact host plant populations.
Collecting Methods
- Net catching
Preservation Methods
- Pinning specimens
- Storage in glassine envelopes
Evolution
Possibly a close relative to the soldier butterfly (Danaus eresimus) and evolutionarily distinct from Danaus chrysippus.
Misconceptions
Often confused with the Monarch butterfly due to similar coloration; however, it has distinct differences in morphology and behavior.
Tags
- Danaus gilippus
- Butterfly
- Nymphalidae
- Pollinator
- Mimicry