Where’s Wildlife · Butterfly Field Guide
Danaus plexippus
Pronounced (approx.): duh-NAY-us plek-SIP-us
Orange wings, bold black veins, and a remarkable seasonal journey make the Monarch a familiar visitor to gardens and prairies.
Select the photograph to browse all nine field photographs.
NATIVE TO NORTH AMERICA
Adult: Look for orange wing panels outlined by black veins and a broad black border dotted with white. Check the hindwing carefully when separating Monarchs from Viceroys. [2]
Caterpillar: Black, yellow, and white bands wrap around the body, with a pair of flexible black filaments near each end. [2]
Male or female? Males have a small black spot on each hindwing. Females lack these spots and usually have thicker black wing veins. [1]
Compare wing patterns, resting poses, and caterpillar markings. Select any photograph to enlarge it.
The Monarch develops through four stages: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult butterfly. Females lay their eggs on milkweed, which supplies food for the growing caterpillars. [1]
After several molts, a mature caterpillar finds a sheltered place to form its chrysalis. The emerging butterfly expands its wings before it can fly. Development time varies with temperature. [1]
Adults drink nectar from many flowering plants. A habitat with both native milkweeds and flowers blooming across the season supports different parts of the life cycle. [1]
Explore our milkweed guides: Common Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed, and Butterfly Milkweed.
Monarch butterfly and caterpillar identification graphic. Select to enlarge.
Monarch and Viceroy comparison. Select to enlarge the labels.
The Viceroy has a black line running across its hindwing that the Monarch lacks. This is more useful than relying on orange color or apparent size alone. [2]
Use the comparison graphic to check that line and the arrangement of the wing veins.
In fall, migratory Monarchs from eastern North America travel toward overwintering forests in central Mexico. Many western Monarchs overwinter along the California coast. Spring movement and subsequent generations repopulate breeding areas farther north. [3]
The map linked below shows spring and fall migration patterns. It is a migration overview, rather than a live tracking map. [3]
Explore reported Monarch sightings and their seasonal distribution. Observation records show where people have documented butterflies; they are not a complete range map.
[1] Monarch Joint Venture — Monarch Life Cycle
Life stages, milkweed and nectar foods, and differences between males and females.
[2] Monarch Joint Venture — Monarch Mimics
Identification features and comparisons with similar butterflies, including the Viceroy.
[3] Monarch Watch — Migration
Seasonal migration, overwintering areas, and spring and fall migration maps.
Explore more Monarch learning materials featuring Where’s Wildlife photographs.
