Monarch butterfly
Image: Another Believer (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Common NameMonarch butterfly
Scientific NameDanaus plexippus
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyDanainae
Wingspan (mm)95
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsorange, black, white
HabitatOpen fields, meadows, roadsides, gardens, forest edges, agricultural fields
Geographic RangeNorth America, Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, parts of Europe
Host PlantsAsclepias (milkweed) species
Flight PeriodMultiple broods from spring to fall in temperate regions; year-round in tropical areas. Known for multi-generational migration.
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statusendangered
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis. Eggs are laid on milkweed plants, hatching into striped caterpillars that feed exclusively on milkweed. The caterpillar then forms a jade green chrysalis with gold spots, from which the adult butterfly emerges.
Identification TipsRecognizable by its distinctive orange and black wing pattern with white spots. Males have a small, black scent patch on the hindwings that females lack. Often seen nectaring on a variety of flowers or during its famous migratory flights.
Description
The Monarch butterfly is a large, iconic butterfly with vibrant orange wings featuring prominent black veins and a black border adorned with white spots.
