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Monarch Butterfly
Danaus plexippus


Conservation Status: Not Listed

Size: Wingspan between 3 and 5 inches.

Range: North America, (though not present in the Pacific Northwest or Alaska) South America, Central America,

Habitat: Prefers subtropical and tropical areas, also wide open areas such as meadows and fields.

Diet: Milkweed, though also nectar from flowers such as: goldenrod and red clover.

Breeding: Spring and summer; April to June, July to August

Nesting: Cocoons spun in trees such as: pine, cypress and eucalyptus.

Notes: Because of their steady diets of milkweed nectar, the Monarchs are poisonous and cause illness to any that consume them.

Description & Behavior
Solid black body, coloring is bright orange and black wings with black veins on the wings, also has white dots along the edges of the wings.