OTHER NAMES: Monarch Butterfly, Milkweed, Common Tiger, Wanderer, Black-veined Brown
Latin Etymology: Danaus (a mythical Greek king) plexippus (a mythical Prince)
Adult Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) at San Jose, California - September 2022
Featured Subspecies: Danaus plexippus plexippus
Weight: 0.5g / Length: 2.5-3.5cm / Wingspan: 8.9-10.2cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern
Perhaps the most iconic of all insects of North America, the Monarch is a large distinctive species that migrates in huge numbers to Mexico in Winter, although some populations are resident. Their foodplants as caterpillars are the milkweed family, resulting in the caterpillar being toxic as they store the toxins from the host plant. Despite being widespread, they have suffered many conservation threats and have been subject to various protections to secure their future.
Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Danaus
SUBSPECIES: D. p. plexippus, D. p. nigrippus, D. p. megalippe, D. p. portoricensis, D. p. tobagi
- Sighting Locations -
A widespread resident and Summer migrant throughout the Lower 48 and Hawai'i
- CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Jose,
Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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