Butterflies at Home



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

Soldier Butterfly (ventral view)
Soldier Butterfly ... wings closed
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" !

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