Danaus plexippus

Description

This well-known milkweed butterfly has a brownish or black body with two pair of orange-red wings having black veins and white spots along the edge. Two knobbed antennae are present on the head. Larvae (caterpillars) are yellow, black, and white striped and can be found on milkweed plants.

Habitat

Adults can be found flying through a variety of areas such as forests, fields, and gardens. The larvae need to eat milkweed plants so they are most commonly found on these plants.

Diet

Milkweed is the only thing the larvae eat. Adults suck nectar with the proboscis.

Size

Average wingspan is about 4 inches, weigh less than ½ ounce

Range

Throughout US, south Canada, and Mexico. One of few migrating butterflies, migrates south in the fall to the center of Mexico and offspring returns north the following spring.

Other Useful Information

Monarchs are poisonous so predators will avoid eating it; toxins come from feeding on the milkweed plant as a caterpillar. Planting milkweed in a garden often attracts monarch butterflies.

Similar Species

Viceroy Butterfly, not poisonous but mimics the colors of the Monarch to make predators think it is.