Only in the butterfly world do monarchs and queens outnumber soldiers.
In fact, the Soldier Butterfly (Danaus eresimus) is the least wide spread of the three milkweed butterfly species in the United States, found in South Florida, Texas and Arizona.
They look very similar to Queens. A top view, not shown here, reveals some dark veins on the chestnut colored wings. Queens lack those dark veins.
The side view picture at the top shows a distinct watermark on the hindwing. That watermark is absent in Queens.
Queens and Soldiers often nectar together in areas where their territories overlap. Because they tend to keep their wings folded, checking the wings for a watermark is a good way to differentiate between the two species.
