Monarch Butterfly
Danaus plexippus
41.422, -82.3646
Field Notes
Description:
The monarch butterfly is a milkweed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It may be the most familiar North American butterfly. Monarch Butterflies are a common sight throughout North America, with the exception of the extreme northern regions. Their orange and black coloring, mixed with a little white, make them instantly recognizable. Yellow and brown can also be found on the wings. The related Viceroy Butterfly appears very similar to the Monarch Butterfly, but has slight differences in both pattern and color. A discerning eye should be able to tell the two apart.
Habitat:
Monarchs tend to gravitate towards open meadows or along the road, traversing the terrain in the search for the much favored milkweed plant. They are active from May to early fall in most areas, but year-round in Florida, Hawaii and Texas.
Notes:
I found this monarch butterfly in my backyard. It landed on our table and sat with it's wings together, letting me be able to see the brown pattern on the side of it's wing.
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