The Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus) is a fascinating insect that belongs to the Nymphalidae family. Known for its striking coloration and graceful flight, this butterfly is a popular subject of study for entomologists and nature enthusiasts alike. Found throughout the Americas, from the southern United States to South America, the Queen Butterfly is a common sight in gardens, parks, and other outdoor spaces.
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about the Queen Butterfly, including its physical characteristics, life cycle, behavior, and habitat. This post discusses the Queen in detail. From why she is called the Queen to her habitat, diet, and lifespan.
About the Queen Butterfly
| Feature | Description |
| Scientific name | Danaus gilippus |
| Family | Nymphalidae |
| Wingspan | 3-4 inches (7.6-10.2 cm) |
| Color | Orange-brown with black veins and white spots |
| Underside color | Pale yellow with black veins and spots |
| Body color | Black with white spots |
| Antennae | Long and thin |
| Habitat | Open fields, meadows, and coastal regions |
| Range | Southern United States to South America |
| Diet | Nectar from various flowers; caterpillars feed on milkweed |
| Lifespan | 4-6 weeks for adults; 2-4 weeks for caterpillars |
| Migratory | Yes, but less well-known than the Monarch butterfly. |
| Conservation status | Not considered at risk |
| Behavior | Active during the day, typically flying close to the ground. Flaps wings rapidly, but also glides for short periods. |
| Predators | Birds, spiders, wasps, and other insects. Caterpillars are also preyed on by birds and other insects. |
| Reproduction | Females lay eggs on the underside of milkweed leaves. Eggs hatch in 4-6 days, and caterpillars emerge. |
| Fun fact | The queen butterfly is often mistaken for the monarch. |
Facts about the Queen Butterfly
The first thing that comes to mind when the queen butterfly is mentioned is the name.
However, that is not the scientific name but rather its common name. It is the name given to this species to help differentiate it from other butterfly species.
The scientific name for the queen butterfly is Danaus gilippus. Danaus (genus name) is the generic name, while Gilippus is the scientific name (specific name).
The queen belongs to the same genus as tigers, monarchs, milkweeds, and wanderers. As I will explain later, the queen is often confused with the monarch butterfly, but it’s easy to tell them apart.
The queen butterfly belongs to the family Nymphalidae, which is basically the largest family of butterflies, comprising over 6,000 species.
Butterflies in this family are usually medium-large in size, and most of them hold their wings flat when they are resting. Most of them also stand on four legs.
Enough with the nomenclature; let’s talk about how to identify a queen butterfly.
Description of the Queen Butterfly:
The queen (Danaus gilippus) is a medium-sized butterfly. Its wingspan ranges from 3 inches to 3.5 inches (7.62 to 8.89 cm).
So where does this place the butterfly among other butterflies in terms of size?
The largest butterfly is Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing, which has a wingspan of 12 inches (30 cm). There is also the Goliath Birdwing, with a wingspan of about 10 inches (25 inches).
So, the queen is fairly small.
But when you compare it to the most common butterflies, such as the painted lady (2-3 inches), the queen is a little bit bigger.
Among all butterfly species, the queen is likely in the top 50 when ranked according to wingspan.
What about the colors?
When it comes to colors, the queen is brown or orange on the upper side, with the forewings having a black border. The upper side has two rows of white spots, with most of them scattered at the tips.
The underside is usually a lighter yellowish-orange color with a pattern of darker orange-brown veins. It’s typically more subdued and muted than the showy and eye-catching upper side.
There isn’t much difference between the coloration of a male and female queen butterfly. However, in some populations, the females may have more white spots.
As we shall see below, this coloration is also a protection mechanism. These bright colors warn predators that the butterfly is toxic. It’s also a way to attract mates and help the butterfly regulate body temperatures.
Habitat of the Danaus Gilippus
The queen is a tropical species. You will find this species throughout the tropics of the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
In the US, you will find the Queen in southern Texas, California, and Arizona. Some of its favorite habitats include marshes, meadows, fields, open fields, and woodlands.
Diet of the Queen Butterfly
Adult Queen Butterflies have a host of food sources. As you’d expect, their favorite source of food is nectar from flowering plants, which they collect using their proboscis.
Other sources of food for adult queen butterflies include
- Sweat
- Rotting fruits
- Dung
- Urine
You will also see queen butterflies around garbage cans, as they are attracted to sugar.
Note that butterflies use their feet’ chemo-receptors to taste instead of their proboscis.
Mating and courtship
When it comes to mating and courtship, male queens have what I’d call the perfect definition of the art of seduction.
The male queen butterflies are out looking for mates every day, especially on a sunny afternoon. However, before a male gets a mate, it’s the purest form of seduction.
During a flight, the male will rub his hair-pencils against the potential mate’s antennae. This rubbing produces a certain secretion that seduces the female, and if she is impressed, she will come to rest.
After resting, the male will continue hair-penciling which eventually leads to mating. When mating, the two butterflies remain coupled for up to an hour, resting on a surface.
Studies show that female queens mate up to 15 times in a day.
After mating, the two lovebirds embark on a post-nuptial flight, with the male carrying the female. The female will then fly, looking for a place to deposit the eggs.
Females look for a plant that their caterpillars can feed on. For queen butterflies, their favorite host plants are milkweed, butterfly weed, and sand vine. The eggs are usually deposited on leaves, flowers, and the stem.
Queen Butterfly vs. the Monarch
The queen butterfly and monarch are often mistaken for each other. However, they are quite different, and it’s easy to tell them apart.
When it comes to size, the monarch is larger. The monarch has an average lifespan of between 3.5 and 4 inches, while the queen’s wingspan ranges between 3.1 and 3.5 inches.
When it comes to colors, the queen has an orange-brown color, while the monarch has bright orange-red wings. The monarchs are also very aggressive, unlike the quiet queen.
Monarchs are known to be very migrational, while queens aren’t.
The queen and monarch caterpillars are very similar. They both have black, yellow, and white markings. The only difference is that monarch caterpillars have two sets of filaments, while queen caterpillars have three sets of filaments.
Are all queen butterflies female?
Looking at the name Queen, one may think there are only female Queen butterflies. However, there are both female and male queen butterflies.
How do you tell the difference between a male and a female queen butterfly?
The differences between male and female queen butterflies are generally subtle and can be difficult to discern without close examination.
The wings of male queen butterflies are narrower and more elongated than female queen wings. Also, the vein markers are thicker and more pronounced on males than on females.
What’s the lifespan of a queen butterfly?
A queen has a lifespan of about 1 to 3 months. The eggs take 4-6 days to hatch, while the caterpillar stage takes 2-3 weeks. The pupil stage takes 5-15 days.
Queen Butterfly-In Conclusion
The Queen butterfly is a true jewel of the butterfly world, with its striking colors and graceful flight. Found throughout much of the Americas, this regal species is a master of adaptation, able to thrive in a range of habitats and environments.
Whether you’re a seasoned butterfly enthusiast or simply appreciate the beauty of nature, the Queen butterfly is a species worth taking the time to appreciate and admire. So next time you’re out and about, keep an eye out for this magnificent creature; – you might just be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of its majestic flight!