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Wisconsin Native Caterpillars

American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) caterpillar

Queen Caterpillar

Genus-Species: Danaus gilippus

Description: Black with creamy white rings and yellow spots--warning colors that signal predators that this caterpillar is distasteful. There are b3 pairs of long, black filaments. (Monarch caterpillars only have 2 pairs).

Chrysalis: Green with distinct rows of golden spots and a distinct abdominal suture line. Somewhat blunt and barrel-shaped.

Host Plants: Red Milkweed, Butterfly Weed.

Habitat: Open, sunny areas including fields, deserts, roadsides, pastures, dunes, washes, and waterways.

Comments: Queen isomewhat similar to famous Monarch, Danaus plexippus, belonging not only to the same butterfly family but also to the same genus. It's a little smaller than the Monarch. Caterpillars of the two species also are very similar. As with Monarchs, Queen caterpillars feed on various kinds of milkweeds.

Adult Queen Butterfly Profile
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