WLI World September 2026
Science on wings: the monarch and the queen under the microscope
Luz Stella Tisnés
The creation of a garden with host plants at the DANAPURE Wetland, located at the Liceo Taller San Miguel (Colombia), enabled the presence of two species of the genus Danaus to be recorded: the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and, for the first time at this wetland, the queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus). This area was designed to encourage their reproduction through the introduction of species of the genus Asclepias, plants that are essential for the larval development of these lepidoptera.
The observations were carried out systematically by students from the Research Group, who documented the complete life cycle of both species, from oviposition to the emergence of the adult. The monitoring made it possible to record the egg, larval, pupa (chrysalis) and adult stages, providing information on their natural history and their biological differences under natural conditions.
The monarch and the queen belong to the same genus and share a common evolutionary ancestor, which explains their morphological and ecological similarities. Both utilise host plants of the genus Asclepias, whose secondary metabolites are incorporated by the larvae and constitute a defence mechanism against numerous predators. This relationship represents an example of co-evolution between insects and plants.
During metamorphosis, it was observed that the chrysalises appear very similar in the early stages; however, as development progresses, gradual differences in colouration and pigmentation patterns emerge, allowing the two species to be distinguished before the adults emerge. Furthermore, the larvae display distinctive morphological characteristics that facilitate their identification from the earliest stages of development.
In the adult stage, although both species display aposematic colouration dominated by orange and black tones, they exhibit differences in wing pattern, particularly when the wings are spread. These characteristics facilitate recognition among individuals of the same species and play an important role in mate selection and reproductive isolation.
The record of Danaus gilippus represents a significant contribution to our understanding of the biodiversity of the DANAPURE Wetland and highlights the importance of host plant gardens as a strategy for butterfly conservation. It also demonstrates that school-based research, carried out through systematic and rigorous observations, can generate valuable scientific information for environmental education and for understanding the ecological processes associated with the conservation of wetlands and pollinators.
Luz Stella Tisnés 
Luz Stella Tisnés
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