Monarch (University of Arizona Pollinator Field Guide)

Monarch

Danaus plexippus

Who am I? ²

A pleasure to meet you! I am the Monarch butterfly, scientifically Danaus plexippus. I am a relative to the Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus). As far as I am told, I am one of the most studied and popular butterflies on the planet... who knew! We love to live in warmer climates, and the people always seem to get a kick out of us when we seasonally migrate from Canada to the United States and to Mexico. There, we will all cluster onto trees and wait out the winter before heading north again. You might be wondering, "But how do they even travel that far?" Well let me tell you, we have a special gene that helps us! There is a gene that contributes to collagen formation (which is the "stretchy stuff" in connective tissues), and this gene lowers how much energy we spend when we fly long-distance. There have been a lot of conservation efforts to help us and my fellow pollinators because our numbers have declined just as our precious milkweeds and nectar flowers decrease in number too. Hopefully you can join in that cause too!

Quick facts ²

Common name: Monarch

Scientific name:Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus 1758)

Characteristics:

Wing span: 3 3/8 - 4 7/8 inches (8.6 - 12.4 cm)
Caterpillars have TWO pairs of "tentacles" on their body (Queen caterpillars have three)
Male: upperside is bright orange with bold, black veins
Female: upperside is orange-brown with blurred, bold, black veins
Both male and female have scattered white dots on their borders and apex
Migratory species, prefers warmer climates

Host plant: Milkweeds and milkweed vines, including common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), swamp milkweed (A. incarnata), and showy milkweed (A. speciosa), and milkweed vine in the tropics. Alternatively, they will feed on other genera including Calotropis, Cynanchum, Gonolobus, Sarcostemma, etc., as well

Nectar plant: Variety of flowers, but specifically milkweed nectar. Additional nectar plants include dogbane, lilac, red clover, lantana, thistles, goldenrods, blazing stars, ironweed, and tickseed sunflowers

Preferred habitat: Open, sunny areas with hostplants

Distribution: North America to Mexico. There are also populations in Hawaii (there are white monarchs here), Portugal, Spain, Australia, and some Pacific islands (zoom out on the iNat map to see!)

Flight times: March through fall in North America; all year in tropics. May breed all year in Florida, South Texas, and southeastern California. See seasonality: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/48662-Danaus-plexippus

Where can you find me on campus? ²

Much like Queen larvae, Monarch caterpillars are most likely to be found feeding on the line of milkweeds planted behind the Chemistry building, in front of the small parking area is beside Shantz. It is likely that the adults are also found feeding on the milkweed nectar. Additional nectar plants include dogbane, lilac, red clover, lantana, thistles, goldenrods, blazing stars, ironweed, and tickseed sunflowers. These may or may not be planted around campus given the year. When in doubt, head to the milkweeds!