Insects Living

Monarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus

A large orange-and-black butterfly famous for long-distance seasonal migration in North America.

Photo: Perlick Laura, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Public Domain

Overview

Monarch caterpillars feed on milkweeds and retain defensive compounds from their host plants. Several populations migrate across generations between breeding and overwintering regions.

Physical characteristics

Length8–10 cm

Weight0.0–0.0 kg

Typical lifespan1 years

DietHerbivore

Habitat & distribution

Habitats

GrasslandOpen WoodlandMeadowGarden

Range

North AmericaCentral America

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