Monarch butterfly
Image: Molly Adams from USA (CC BY 2.0)
Common NameMonarch butterfly
Scientific NameDanaus plexippus
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyDanainae
Wingspan (mm)95
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsorange, black, white
HabitatOpen fields, meadows, roadsides, gardens, and other areas with milkweed
Geographic RangeNorth America, Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands
Host Plantsmilkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Flight PeriodSpring to fall in temperate zones; year-round in tropical areas
Conservation Statusendangered
Lifecycle NotesMonarchs undergo complete metamorphosis. Eggs are laid on milkweed, which is the sole food source for the striped yellow, black, and white caterpillars. The chrysalis is typically jade green with a band of metallic gold spots.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive orange and black wing pattern with white spots on the black margins. Males can be identified by a small black spot (androconium) on a vein on each hindwing, which females lack.
Description
The Monarch butterfly is a large, iconic butterfly with vibrant orange wings featuring prominent black veins and a black border dotted with white spots. Its striking coloration serves as a warning to predators.
