Queen Butterfly vs Brown Willow Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Queen Butterfly Brown Willow Beetle
Scientific Name Danaus gilippus Galerucella lineola
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Nymphalidae Chrysomelidae
Size 67-78 mm wingspan 4-6 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Rivers & Streams
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Southern USA, Central and South America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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Did You Know?

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

Brown Willow Beetle

A small brown beetle that feeds on willow leaves and can cause significant defoliation. Has been used as a biological control agent for purple loosestrife in North America.

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Did You Know?

A close relative was deliberately introduced to North America as biological control for invasive purple loosestrife.