Danaus

Danaus is a genus of large, strong-flying butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as monarchs or wanderers. The name Danaus is derived from the Greek hero Danaus, whose fifty daughters were said to have a propensity for becoming likenesses of butterflies. Members of the genus Danaus are characterized by their striking orange or yellow wings with black veins and margins, and white spots on the hindwings.

The Danaus genus is primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with a few species found in temperate regions. Many of the species in this genus are considered migrants, traveling hundreds of miles in search of food and suitable breeding grounds. This remarkable migratory behavior is made possible by the butterflies' unique physiology, which allows them to store energy in the form of dissolved sugars and fats.

There are several species within the Danaus genus, including the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), the Queen Alexandra's birdwing (Danaus gilippus) and the blue mountain leafwing (Danaus shepardsoni). Some of the species in this genus have undergone significant changes to their bodies due to adaptation to environments that do not favor high structural support, resulting in shorter forewings and stronger ventral parts of the wings. These adaptations play a crucial role in the butterflies' ability to migrate long distances and find suitable food. Overall, the Danaus genus is notable for its unique characteristics, and occupies a special place in the classification of butterflies.