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Monarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus

Photo by 1Sarah2
Published on Project Noah
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27.7981, -82.7973

Field Notes

Description:

The Monarch Butterfly is an easily recognizable butterfly with its black and orange pattern. The colors also serve as a warning to predators. This butterfly is not only bad tasting, it is poisonous.

Habitat:

Butterfly loves and caterpillar feeds on scarlet milkweed.

Notes:

Shown with a milkweed plant.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (12)
Ashish
I am thankful to you for your patience and happy as I learned something..assured..and neat observation.. :)
Ashish
Not much...Birds get fainted.. and bad taste..so birds mostly avoid hunting them..!!
1Sarah2
Happy to have this straightened out. The pictures that Ashish directed me to of the Viceroy caterpillar (same page as the butterfly) showed something that would I would have assumed it to be poisonous.
Ashish
I was wrong...I crosschecked images you are right.... its Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Referred White line on its neck which is missing in Viceroy.... I learned lot... Monarch is not Common tiger. This is Monarch Male..!!
MichaelFulbright
I'm pretty sure this is a Monarch. Viceroys have a curves line on their hindwings. Here is what a Viceroy looks like: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/6455396 A good website for buttefly ID is www.butterfliesandmoths.org .
Ashish
The caterpillar is of Common Tiger/Monarch. But butterfly is Viceroy...as design of Wing's tips seen...!!
Ashish
Confirm with any Noah ranger...!!
1Sarah2
I can see what you mean about it not being a Common Tiger. Happily enough, a new set a caterpillars have invaded. I have added a picture. These are the caterpillars that are in this region. I have never seen those listed for the viceroy.
Ashish
The black tips of your butterfly not matching with following butterfly http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danaus_genutia Its Viceroy...!! Check follwing site http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterfly/activities/printouts/viceroyprintout.shtml
1Sarah2
After looking at your suggested link, I have added another picture that I hope will help clarify. I do not see the post median black lines on the hind wing that a Viceroy would have. Also, the caterpillars and pupa in this area are the Monarch type. I have never seen either for the Viceroy type in this area.
Ashish
Its Viceroy butterfly...check tips...not Tiger or Monarch..!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viceroy_butterfly

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Pollinating Insects of the World
Mission
Butterflies of Florida
Mission
Monarch Migration
Mission
Animals with Warning Colors

Tags

Photographed
PublishedJune 19, 2011

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