monarch
Danaus plexippus
Identification: Wingspan 3 3/8 – 4 7/8 inches. Upperside of male is bright orange with wide black borders and black veins; hindwing has a patch of scent scales. Upperside of female is orange-brown with wide black borders and blurred black veins. Both sexes have white spots on borders and apex.
Habitat: Open areas like fields, meadows, weedy areas, marshes and roadsides.
Garden Habit: Massive migrations from August-October, flying thousands of miles south to Mexico. They stop along the way to feed on flower nectar and to roost together at night. At Mexico wintering sites, butterflies roost in trees and form huge collections that may have millions of individuals!
Host Plants: Any species of milkweed: common milkweed, swamp milkweed, orange butterfly weed, etc. Adults visit variety of flowers early: red clover, blazing stars, and tickseed.
Identification: Wingspan 3 3/8 – 4 7/8 inches. Upperside of male is bright orange with wide black borders and black veins; hindwing has a patch of scent scales. Upperside of female is orange-brown with wide black borders and blurred black veins. Both sexes have white spots on borders and apex.
Habitat: Open areas like fields, meadows, weedy areas, marshes and roadsides.
Garden Habit: Massive migrations from August-October, flying thousands of miles south to Mexico. They stop along the way to feed on flower nectar and to roost together at night. At Mexico wintering sites, butterflies roost in trees and form huge collections that may have millions of individuals!
Host Plants: Any species of milkweed: common milkweed, swamp milkweed, orange butterfly weed, etc. Adults visit variety of flowers early: red clover, blazing stars, and tickseed.