Scientific Name
Danaus eresimus
Average Life Span
One to three months
Wingspan
3.2 - 3.4 inches (7 - 10 cm)
The Soldier butterfly (Danaus eresimus) is well-known throughout the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America for its vivid orange wings with black markings and delicate white dots. The Soldier butterfly, known for its elegant flight and complex patterning, gives a touch of magic to its various habitats, which range from dry deserts to luscious tropical woods. Aside from its visual appeal, this butterfly is an important pollinator and component of its ecosystem’s food web, emphasizing its ecological significance.
Classification
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Danainae
Genus: Danaus
Species: D. eresimus
NATIVE RANGE
Southern Florida and South Texas south through the West Indies and Central America to Brazil. A rare stray to southern Arizona and southern New Mexico.
Host Plants
The Soldier butterfly’s host plant is milkweed and milkweed vines as well as: Strangler vine (Morrenia odorata), White vine (Funastrum clausum) & West Indian pinkroot (Spigelia anthelmia). There are several varieties of native milkweed in the United States, including but not limited to: Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa), Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Antelope-horns Milkweed (Asclepias asperula), Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens), Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa), California Milkweed (Asclepias californica), White milkweed (Asclepias variegata), Whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata), Mexican Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis), Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa), and Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis).
Don't plant non-native milkweed
Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), a Mexico native, is an often seen milkweed in the gardening industry. Unfortunately, it can cause problems for monarch butterflies since it has the potential to spread disease and disrupt their travel patterns.
NECTAR PLANTS
Butterfly Bush, Lantana, Zinnia
Eggs
The soldier butterfly eggs are very similar in appearance to monarch eggs.
Caterpillar
Soldier caterpillars are similar to monarch's and have alternating black, white, and yellow stripes.
Image Credit: Mary Keim
Chrysalis
The soldier chrysalis is a lovely seafoam green with a band of tiny yellow/gold and black spots. The chrysalis changes as the butterfly forms inside and becomes clear before the butterfly emerges.
