Monarch butterfly
Image: Another Believer (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common NameMonarch butterfly
Scientific NameDanaus plexippus
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyDanainae
Wingspan (mm)95
Primary Colorsorange, black, white
HabitatOpen fields, meadows, gardens, roadsides, forest edges, and agricultural areas where host plants are present.
Geographic RangeNorth America, Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and some Pacific islands.
Host PlantsAsclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed), Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed), Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed), Asclepias curassavica (Tropical Milkweed)
Flight PeriodVaries by region; generally spring to fall in temperate zones, year-round in tropical areas. Migratory populations fly south in autumn.
Conservation Statusendangered
Lifecycle NotesMonarchs undergo complete metamorphosis, laying single eggs on milkweed plants. The larvae (caterpillars) are striped yellow, black, and white, feeding exclusively on milkweed. They then form a jade-green chrysalis with metallic gold spots, from which the adult butterfly emerges.
Identification TipsEasily identified by its large size, vibrant orange wings with distinct black veins, and a double row of white spots along the black wing margins. It can be distinguished from the similar-looking Viceroy butterfly by the absence of a single black line crossing the hindwing.
Description
A large and iconic butterfly featuring bright orange wings with prominent black veins and thick black borders adorned with two rows of small white spots.
