Monarch butterfly
Danaus plexippus
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera; Nymphalidae
- Size
- Wingspan typically 8.6–12.4 cm (3.4–4.9 in).
Natural Habitat
Open habitats including meadows, gardens, prairies, roadsides, and forest edges across the Americas; introduced populations occur elsewhere.
Diet & Feeding
Caterpillars feed almost exclusively on milkweeds (Asclepias spp.). Adults drink nectar from many flowering plants and obtain moisture and minerals from damp soil.
Behavior Patterns
Adults migrate seasonally, with some North American populations traveling thousands of kilometers. They undergo complete metamorphosis, and several generations may occur annually; overwintering adults cluster in sheltered sites.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans and important pollinators. Milkweed-derived toxins and warning coloration make them distasteful to many predators; habitat loss, pesticides, and declining milkweed threaten populations.