Monarch Butterfly - Danaus plexippus

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Monarch Butterfly
Danaus plexippus


	Insects

Information

Sightings Map | Observed Behaviors

Common Names -

King Billy, Milkweed Butterfly, Monarch, Monarch Butterfly

Larva Names -

Monarch Caterpillar

Scientific Name -

Danaus plexippus

Kingdom -

Animalia (Animals)

Phylum -

Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class -

Insecta (Insects)

Order -

Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Moths)

Family -

Danaidae (Milkweed Butterflies)

Genus -

Danaus

Species -

plexippus

General Description -

Monarch have all of the characteristics typical of butterflies. They have two pair of large scaly wings. The wings are a bright orange in color, with black veins and outer margins. The forewings are generally a darker orange than the hindwings. White spots of various sizes are found on the black areas along the trailing edges of the wings. The body of the Monarch is dainty and black with white spots in color.

Monarch are unusual in that the last generation of each summer makes annual migrations en masse. Fall migriations begin as far north as Canada, and end in the Monarch overwintering grounds in central Mexico, Southern Califorina, Arizona, Florida, and parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Feeding exclusively on poisonous Milkweed as during their larval stage, Monarch Caterpillars and Butterflies become toxic to many of their predators, causing sickness or death.

Male Description -

The male is very similar to the female in appearance. The key differences are distinctive dark spots (scent scales) on the hindwings of the male, and small claspers at the end of the abdomen.

Male Length -

1.75 to 2.25 inches

Male Weight -

Not Available

Male Wingspan -

3.39 to 4.88 inches

Female Description -

Female Monarchs have thicker wing veins than do the male butterflies. Females also lack the hindwing scent scales and abdomen claspers found on the male.

Female Length -

1.75 to 2.25 inches

Female Weight -

Not Available

Female Wingspan -

3.39 to 4.88 inches

Age of Maturity -

1 month

Breeding Season -

February through September

Mating Rituals -

Mating occurs throughout the breeding season over the Monarch's summer range, and in the early spring at the various Monarch overwintering sites. Courtship begins in the air where males attempts to bring a females to the ground. Actual mating takes place on the once the pair is on the ground.

Mates per Season -

Not Available

Nest Description -

Not Applicable

Nest Location -

Not Applicable

Nest Building -

Not Applicable

Eggs per Clutch -

Approximately 400

Egg Description -

Ridged and sheperical. Yellow in color

Egg Size -

0.125 inches

Incubation -

Eggs hatch in 3 to 12 days. Parents provide no incubation.

Gestation -

Not Applicable

Brood Size -

Several hundred caterpillars

Broods per Season -

1 brood per season

Care of Young -

No parental care provided

Juvenile Diet -

Caterpillars feed exclusively on Milkweed

Feeding Frequency -

Throughout the day

Larval Stage -

Approximately 2 months

Newborn Description -

Newborn caterpillars are white with shiny black heads.

Newborn Length -

Approximately 0.125 inche

Newborn Weight -

Not Available

Newborn Wingspan -

Not Applicable

Juvenile Description -

The Monarchs's larval stage last about 15 days. As Monarch caterpillars grow they develop their distinctive coloration of alternating black, white, and yellow bands.

Juvenile Length -

2 inches

Juvenile Weight -

Not Available

Juvenile Wingspan -

Not Applicable

Pupal Stage -

10 to 12 days

Pupa Description -

The Monarch pupa is called a chryalis and is jade green in color.

Pupa Length -

1 inch

Pupa Weight -

Not Available

Age of Independence -

Juvenile Monarchs recieve no parental care.

Lifespan -

6 weeks to 6 months

Active -

During the day

Sleep -

Inactive at night

Shelter -

Dense tree cover

Hibernation -

Not Available

Feeding Habits -

Monarch Butterflies use a proboscis (a slender, tube-like organ) to drink nectar from a variety of different flower types.

Diet -

Monarch Butterflies feed on the nectar from a number of different flowering plants, including Milkweed, Dogbane, Goldenrod, and Mexican Sage.

In DFW Area -

March through September

Spring Migration -

February through March

Fall Migration -

September through October

Habitat -

Monarch Butterflies can be found in open areas wherever there is an abundance of flowering plants. Monarchs will seek out dense folliage for shelter. Monarch Caterpillars feed exclusively on Milkweed, so areas with this plant will also be an attractive habitat

Observation Tips -

A large number of Monarch Butterflies pass through the DFW Area during their fall migration. They show a particular fondness for Mexican Sage, but can be seen feeding wherever there are flowering plants during the months of September and October.

Male Sounds -

Not Applicable.

Female Sounds -

Not Applicable

Observed Behaviors

Sort by

Observation -		Monarch Butterfly 1.1
Behavior Type -		Feeding
City -		Dallas
Time of Year -		Early Fall (Sep 21 - Oct 20)
Details -		A femal Monarch Butterfly feeding on Mexican Sage nectar at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. Notice the dainty but firm grip she has on the flower petals...more

Observation -		Monarch Butterfly 1.2
Behavior Type -		Feeding
City -		Dallas
Time of Year -		Early Fall (Sep 21 - Oct 20)
Details -		Note the long proboscis used by the Monarch Butterfly to drink nectar from the flower...more

Observation -		Monarch Butterfly 1.3
Behavior Type -		Feeding
City -		Dallas
Time of Year -		Early Fall (Sep 21 - Oct 20)
Details -		Monarch Butterflies clustered on a Mexican Sage at the State Fair of Texas...more

Observation -		Monarch Butterfly 2.1
Behavior Type -		Feeding
City -		Carrollton
Time of Year -		Early Summer (Jun 21 - Jul 20)
Details -		A Monarch Butterfly caterpillar on Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)...more

Observation -		Monarch Butterfly 2.2
Behavior Type -		Feeding
City -		Carrollton
Time of Year -		Early Summer (Jun 21 - Jul 20)
Details -		Two Monarch Butterfly caterpillars on Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)...more

Observation -		Monarch Butterfly 2.3
Behavior Type -		Feeding
City -		Carrollton
Time of Year -		Early Summer (Jun 21 - Jul 20)
Details -		A closer look at a Monarch Butterfly caterpillar...more

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