Monarch butterfly
Image: Phillip Pessar (CC BY 4.0)
Common NameMonarch butterfly
Scientific NameDanaus plexippus
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyDanainae
Wingspan (mm)95
Primary Colorsorange, black, white
HabitatOpen fields, meadows, grasslands, gardens, roadsides, forest edges
Geographic RangeNorth, Central, and South America; also found in Australia, New Zealand, and some Pacific Islands
Host Plantsmilkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Flight PeriodSpring to Fall (migratory populations), year-round (tropical populations)
Conservation Statusendangered
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on milkweed leaves. Larvae (caterpillars) are striped yellow, black, and white, feeding exclusively on milkweed. They form a jade-green chrysalis with a golden band before emerging as adults.
Identification TipsEasily recognized by its distinctive orange, black, and white wing pattern, especially the black veins on the orange wings. Males have a small black scent patch (androconium) on their hindwings.
Description
A large, iconic butterfly characterized by its vibrant orange wings with prominent black veins and a black border adorned with white spots.
