queen butterfly

insect

Also known as: Danaus gilippus

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July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus) is a large, brown butterfly with white spots, closely related to the monarch butterfly. It is found in the warmer parts of America. Queen butterflies belong to the subfamily Danainae, which are part of the brush-footed butterfly family.12

These butterflies have long wings, typically orange or brown with black and white patterns. Their first pair of legs is small and not used for walking, and they fly slowly. The larvae of queen butterflies feed on milkweed plants, which contain acrid, milky juices. These juices can make the larvae and adult butterflies distasteful to predators, offering them protection. This defense mechanism is also utilized by other butterflies through mimicry.23

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reproductive behaviour
Insects
…of butterflies, such as the queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus), the males possess “hair pencils” that project from the end of the abdomen and emit a scent when swept over the female’s antennae during courtship behaviour. Copulation does not occur in the absence of this chemical display.
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…of butterflies, such as the queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus), the males possess “hair pencils” that project from the end of the abdomen and emit a scent when swept over the female’s antennae during courtship behaviour. Copulation does not occur in the absence of this chemical display.
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milkweed butterfly
) and the queen butterfly live in temperate regions. The large, colourful adults have long, usually brownish or orange wings marked by black-and-white patterns. The first pair of legs is small and not used for walking. They fly slowly and deliberately, and some, such as the monarch butterfly,…
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) and the queen butterfly live in temperate regions. The large, colourful adults have long, usually brownish or orange wings marked by black-and-white patterns. The first pair of legs is small and not used for walking. They fly slowly and deliberately, and some, such as the monarch butterfly,…
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mimicry
The chemical basis for repulsion
including the familiar monarch and queen butterflies (Danaus plexippus and D. gilippus). The larvae consume the poison without ill effects and retain it through the pupal stage to adulthood. As adult butterflies, they enjoy protection from vertebrate predators.
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including the familiar monarch and queen butterflies (Danaus plexippus and D. gilippus). The larvae consume the poison without ill effects and retain it through the pupal stage to adulthood. As adult butterflies, they enjoy protection from vertebrate predators.
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