Monarch butterfly

Natural Habitat

Found in open fields, meadows, and gardens; its range extends from southern Canada through the United States and Central America to northern South America.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae (caterpillars) feed exclusively on milkweed plants. Adults drink nectar from a variety of flowers, including milkweed, goldenrod, and thistle.

Behavior Patterns

Monarchs are famous for their long-distance migration, traveling thousands of miles each year between their summer breeding grounds and wintering sites. They have a multi-generational life cycle.

Risks & Benefits

Monarchs are important pollinators. They are not harmful to humans, but their caterpillars are toxic to many predators because of the chemicals they ingest from milkweed.

Identified on: 2/27/2026