Abstract.The chaetotaxy of the first instar larva ofDanaus gilippusis described in detail. Comparisons are made with several other danaine species and with the heliconiineHeliconius melpomene.A new nomenclature for the setae of abdominal segment 10 is proposed and a comparison made with that of Singh (1951). The potential use of chaetotaxy in butterfly systematics is discussed.