Danaus plexippus
danaus plexippusAlso known as Milkweed Butterfly, Common Tiger, Wanderer, Black-Veined Brown
Monarch butterflies embark on one of the most spectacular long-distance migrations in the animal kingdom, traveling thousands of miles to overwintering sites. Their brilliant orange and black wings serve as a warning to predators of the toxic cardenolides they sequestered as caterpillars. Females lay single eggs on the undersides of milkweed leaves, initiating a multi-generational cycle that sustains their vast range.
- diet
- Caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed leaves, while adults drink nectar from a wide variety of wildflowers.
- family
- Nymphalidae
- threats
- Habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and deforestation of overwintering sites.
- life Span
- Two to six weeks for summer generations, and up to eight months for the overwintering migratory generation.
LC
Contains toxic cardiac glycosides accumulated from milkweed; do not ingest and keep away from pets.
All life stages contain toxic cardiac glycosides that can cause severe illness if eaten by humans or pets.
Do not ingest any part of the insect, and wash hands after handling caterpillars or adults.Migratory populations have declined sharply due to habitat loss, herbicide use, and climate disruptions.
Observe resting clusters from a distance during migration, and never touch or disturb overwintering roosts.- Plant Native Milkweed: Support breeding cycles by planting milkweed species native to your specific region.
- Provide Nectar Plants: Grow late-blooming nectar flowers to fuel adult butterflies during their long autumn migration.
- Avoid Pesticides: Eliminate chemical treatments in your garden to protect vulnerable caterpillars and adults.