Monarch (illustrated)
Image: USFWS Mountain-Prairie (Public domain)
Common NameMonarch (illustrated)
Scientific NameDanaus plexippus
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyDanainae
Wingspan (mm)95
Primary Colorsorange, black, white
HabitatOpen fields, meadows, gardens, roadsides
Geographic RangeNorth America, Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand
Host Plantsmilkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Flight PeriodMay to October (in temperate North America)
Conservation Statusendangered
Lifecycle NotesMonarchs undergo complete metamorphosis, with eggs laid on milkweed plants, caterpillars feeding on milkweed, and pupating into a green chrysalis before emerging as adults. They are famous for their multi-generational migration.
Identification TipsKey features for identifying a Monarch include its large size, distinctive orange and black wing pattern with white spots along the black margins, and the presence of a black scent patch on the hindwings of males.
Description
This analysis is based on the prominent illustration of a butterfly resembling a Monarch on a 'Butterfly Garden' sign, not a live specimen. The illustrated butterfly features bright orange wings with black veins and borders, adorned with white spots.
