Malagasy Processionary Moth vs Queen Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malagasy Processionary Moth Queen Butterfly
Scientific Name Anaphe madagascariensis Danaus gilippus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Notodontidae Nymphalidae
Size 40-55 mm wingspan 67-78 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Deserts & Drylands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Madagascar Southern USA, Central and South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Malagasy Processionary Moth

A pale silky white moth whose caterpillars march in long head-to-tail processions through the forest. The larvae are covered in irritating urticating hairs.

💡

Did You Know?

The caterpillars spin communal silk nests and march in lines of dozens of individuals, each following silk trails laid by the leader.

Queen Butterfly

A close relative of the Monarch butterfly with similar orange coloring but darker. Found across the Americas. Like the Monarch, it sequesters toxic cardenolides from milkweed.

💡

Did You Know?

A close cousin of the Monarch that is equally toxic but does not undertake the same famous migration.