Monarch
Image: Harrison Keely (CC BY 4.0)
Common NameMonarch
Scientific NameDanaus plexippus
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyDanainae
Wingspan (mm)95
Primary Colorsorange, black, white
HabitatMeadows, grasslands, open fields, gardens, roadsides, forest edges
Geographic RangeNorth America, Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, parts of Europe
Host Plantsmilkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Flight PeriodSpring to Fall (multiple broods), migratory generation in late summer/fall
Conservation Statusendangered
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; eggs are laid on milkweed, hatching into striped caterpillars that feed on the plant, then pupate into a jade green chrysalis before emerging as adults.
Identification TipsRecognizable by its large size, striking orange and black pattern with distinct black veins, and white spots on the wing margins. Often seen nectaring on various flowers or during its long-distance migrations.
Description
A large, iconic butterfly with vibrant orange wings outlined in black, featuring prominent black veins and white spots along the black borders.
