Monarch Butterfly
Danaus plexippus

Butterfly Family (Lepidoptera)

Size: 8.9-10.2 cm (3.5-4 in)

Habitat/Range: Monarchs migrate throughout North America, coming as far north as Canada in the summer and wintering in Mexico. It takes them 3-4 generations to migrate this distance.

Eating Habits: The larvae of this butterfly feed on the leaves of milkweed. Most adult butterflies feed on nectar sucked from flowers.

Description:

A large, deep-orange butterfly having black and white markings. In the process of feeding they may transfer pollen from one flower to another, and many plants depend on moths or butterflies for pollination. Like moths, butterflies have coiled, sucking mouthparts and two pairs of wings that function as a single pair; the wings are covered with scales that come off as dust when the insect is handled.