Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Description: Large butterfly with orange with black or dark brown lines and wing borders. White dots are located within these borders. Body and head is black with white marks. Underside is lighter colored. The similar looking mimic, the Viceroy butterfly has different vein patterning on the wings and is smaller.
Caterpillar: Beautiful banded with black, yellow, and white bands with four black tubercles. Chrysalis is bright green with gold dots.
Habitat: They live anywhere where milkweed grows; this includes fields, roadsides, sandy areas and the water's edge. Adults can be seen in meadows, roadsides and gardens. Monarchs are migratory and often appear in number in September. These butterflies have received attention due to their decline from habitat loss, many people setting up areas where milkweed can grow and the caterpillars can thrive.
Diet: Caterpillar feeds on milkweed foliage and sometimes flowers, from several species of milkweed such as swamp and common milkweed, adults feed on nectar by day.
Caterpillar: Beautiful banded with black, yellow, and white bands with four black tubercles. Chrysalis is bright green with gold dots.
Habitat: They live anywhere where milkweed grows; this includes fields, roadsides, sandy areas and the water's edge. Adults can be seen in meadows, roadsides and gardens. Monarchs are migratory and often appear in number in September. These butterflies have received attention due to their decline from habitat loss, many people setting up areas where milkweed can grow and the caterpillars can thrive.
Diet: Caterpillar feeds on milkweed foliage and sometimes flowers, from several species of milkweed such as swamp and common milkweed, adults feed on nectar by day.
Viceroy v. Monarch
Viceroy (note vein that intersects the others and white crescents on the edge of the wings).
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Monarch (multiple lines of white marks at wing edges and no intersecting veins).
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