Soldier Butterfly

Soldier Butterfly Size and Characteristics

The Soldier butterfly (Danaus eresimus), also known as the Tropical Queen, is just slightly smaller than the Monarch. The Soldier is an orange-brown color with white spots and black borders. It has similar colorations to the Queen and Viceroy butterflies.

Size: 3.2" - 3.4"

Host plants: milkweed species
Nectar plants: Butterfly Bush, Lantana, Zinnia

Soldier Butterfly Life Cycle Stages and Times

Stage	Typical Duration
Egg stage	4 to 6 days
Caterpillar (larval) stage	2 to 3 weeks
Chrysalis (pupal) stage	5 to 15 days (except for overwintering pupae)
Adult butterfly stage	1 to 3 months

 

Soldier Butterfly Photographs

Soldier Butterfly (dorsal view)

Soldier Butterfly (ventral view)

Photos by and courtesy of Alan Schmierer

 

Side-by-side comparison of Monarch Butterfly Look-Alikes: Queen, Viceroy and Soldier

Shown below is a spotting guide to butterflies that are similar in coloration and markings to the Monarch. Included are the Viceroy, Queen and Soldier ... the "Royal Court of Butterflies" !