Pupa
Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
Larva
Description: Wingspan ranges from 8.6-12.4 cm, bright orange, males have black scent pad, females have thicker
veins. Very easy to identify in PA.
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Habitat: Fields, meadows, weedy areas, marshes, and roadsides.
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Host Plant(s): Asclepias family, such as Common Milkweed (A. syriaca), Swamp Milkweed (A. incarnata), and
Showy Milkweed (A. speciosa).
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Range/Frequency: The most frequent sightings of Monarchs are in Erie, Centre, Montgomery, and Allegheny
County, PA.
Pupa
Queen (Danaus gillipus)
Larva
Description: Wingspan ranges from 8.6-12.4 cm, dorsal side is chestnut brown, males have black scent pad,
females have thicker veins. Very rare stray to PA.
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Habitat: Fields, deserts, roadsides, pastures, dunes, washes, and waterways.
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Host Plant(s): In the past, only Swamp Milkweed (A. incarnata) has worked as a suitable host for Queen
caterpillars for us.
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Range/Frequency: There have only ever been four sightings of Queens in the wild, in Schuykill, Lebanon, Philadelphia, and Bucks County, PA. They do not breed up here, and they should be
considered very rare strays to the area.