Queens

Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus) larvae are just so lovely but are often mistaken for Monarch butterfly larvae.

The Queen butterfly is native to both North and South America and is a member of the Nymphalidae or brush-foot family. The adult butterfly only appears to have 4 legs as the last 2 insect legs are very small and are located near the butterfly's head.

As a member of the Danaid species, the Queen, much like the monarch, hosts on Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)plants. So basically, this is the other caterpillar you might find eating your milkweed. The third set of tubercles (fleshy antenna looking projections) helps to distinguish it from the monarch caterpillar.

As adults, these delightful butterflies are clever mimics utilizing Mullarian mimicry to reinforce the distasteful qualities of the Monarch and Viceroy butterfly, gaining all three species more protection from predators.