Monarch Butterfly

Natural Habitat

Monarch butterflies can be found in a variety of open habitats including meadows, fields, marshes, grasslands, roadsides, and gardens, particularly where milkweed host plants and nectar sources are abundant. Their overwintering habitats differ by region, typically in oyamel fir forests in central Mexico for eastern populations and coastal California for western populations.

Diet & Feeding

Adult Monarch Butterflies primarily feed on nectar from a variety of flowering plants. Monarch caterpillars exclusively feed on the leaves of milkweed plants (Asclepias species).

Behavior Patterns

Monarch butterflies undergo complete metamorphosis, with four life stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult. They are well-known for their spectacular annual migration, traveling thousands of miles between breeding and overwintering grounds. Adults are diurnal, flying during the day and feeding on nectar. Caterpillars are specialized feeders only on milkweed.

Risks & Benefits

Monarch butterflies are iconic pollinators and serve as an important indicator species for ecosystem health. Their migration is a natural wonder. However, they face significant risks including habitat loss (especially milkweed for larvae and overwintering sites), pesticide use, and climate change, leading to population declines. Conservation efforts are crucial for their survival.

Identified on: 8/9/2025