Queen Butterfly

More Brushfooted Butterflies Admirals American Snout Checkerspots Comma Butterflies Common Buckeye Crescents Empress Leila Fritillaries Monarch Butterfly Tortoiseshells Types of Butterflies

The Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippusis) one of three members of the milkweed butterflies commonly found in the United States.

The family is known for laying eggs on milkweed plants, which feed the larvae, once hatched.

The Monarch Butterfly is the most recognizable member of the group, and it ranges across the United States.

Queens have a narrower range than Monarchs, living in milkweed habitat in the Midwest and Southwest.

Field identification is usually easy. Wings are dark brown with thick black stripes. White spots dot the edges of the wings and the face.

© 2007. Patricia A. Michaels. All Rights Reserved.