Monarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus

The Monarch Butterfly is a beautiful orange and black butterfly. It is famous for its long migration to warmer places every year!

Habitat: Fields, gardens, and meadows

Appearance

The Monarch Butterfly has striking orange wings edged and veined with bold black lines, featuring small white spots along the margins. Its body is black with white markings. These distinct patterns help differentiate it from the similar but smaller Viceroy butterfly.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusDanaus

Monarch Butterfly

Interesting facts

A Monarch caterpillar eats so much it grows over 2,000 times its original size!

The migratory generation lives up to eight months, much longer than summer Monarchs!

Their chrysalis is not a cocoon; it's a smooth, jeweled green case!

They "taste" with their feet to find the perfect milkweed for their eggs!

Special abilities

Monarch Butterflies can fly thousands of miles to warmer climates, a super endurance feat that helps them survive winter.

Monarch Butterflies have a bitter taste from milkweed they eat as caterpillars, which helps them avoid becoming a predator's snack.

Monarch Butterflies can navigate using the Earth's magnetic field and sun position, which helps them find their way during long migrations.

Monarch Butterflies transform inside a jade-green chrysalis that blends into foliage, helping them stay hidden from hungry birds.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 89-102 mm
Size: 50-70 mm
Lifespan: 14-240 days
Flight Speed: 12-40 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Adult Monarchs sip sweet flower nectar, while caterpillars munch on milkweed leaves!

Age differences: Caterpillars exclusively eat milkweed leaves; adults drink flower nectar.

Primary Foods

Milkweed leaves (caterpillars)
Nectar from various flowers
Water

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Caterpillars exclusively eat its leaves to grow and become toxic.

pollinates

Canada Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Adult butterflies feed on its nectar, helping to spread its pollen.

eaten by

Deer Mouse

Peromyscus maniculatus

Mice sometimes eat overwintering butterflies at their roosting sites.

pollinates

New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

A favorite late-season nectar source for migrating adult Monarchs.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.

Threatened

These plants and animals are facing challenges that could make them endangered if we don't act now. It means they are at risk and need our attention!

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.