Monarch butterfly
Image: Favi Santos from Austin Texas (CC BY 2.0)
Common NameMonarch butterfly
Scientific NameDanaus plexippus
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyDanainae
Wingspan (mm)95
Primary Colorsorange, black, white
HabitatMeadows, grasslands, open fields, gardens, forest edges, roadsides
Geographic RangeNorth America, Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, some Pacific islands
Host Plantsmilkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Flight PeriodSpring to fall, with multiple generations; migratory in North America
Conservation Statusendangered
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; eggs are laid on milkweed, larvae (caterpillars) feed exclusively on milkweed, pupate into a jade-green chrysalis with gold spots, and emerge as adult butterflies.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its large size, vibrant orange and black pattern with black veins, and white spots along the black wing margins. Often confused with the Viceroy, but Monarchs lack the single black line across the hindwing that Viceroys possess.
Description
A large, iconic butterfly characterized by its bright orange wings with prominent black veins and a thick black border adorned with white spots.
