Wisconsin Native Caterpillars
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.