Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) – Long Distance Lepidoptera
Did You Know?
Monarchs travel up to 4,800 kilometers in the
fall of the year from breeding grounds in North
America to overwintering sites in Mexico
Monarchs who metamorphose into adults in the
fall and migrate south for the Canadian winter
can live for seven to eight months, while others
that are not part of the migration generation
live between two to six weeks
Female Monarchs lay several hundred eggs
during their short lifespan in the spring time
The male Monarch can be distinguished from
the female by a black spot over a vein on each
hind wing (females do not have these spots)
Photo : Brian Popelier, 2012
Habitat – As a caterpillar, Monarchs are confined to areas where milkweed grows, such as
meadows and open areas. Adult Monarchs, feeding on the nectar of a variety of wildflowers
have diverse habitats, and overwinter in the Oyamel Fir forests of central Mexico.
Length – Wingspan is between 93 and 105 millimetres
Diet – Caterpillars feed on milkweed plants, while adults feed on nectar from wildflowers, and
liquid from fruits
Status – Special Concern
This species is listed as “Special Concern” under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]
Identification:
The adult Monarch is bright orange with black
outer margins and wing veins. On the outer
margins of the Monarch’s wings are white spots.
On the forewings, three orange patches can be
found near the top. The hind wings are slightly
lighter in colour than the forewings, and feature
the distinguishing black spots over the veins if the
butterfly is male. The body of the Monarch is
black with white spots and is made up of three
parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. Monarch
butterflies, like other insects, have compound
eyes, a pair of antennae, an exoskeleton, and six
legs.
Photo : Brian Popelier, 2012
Interesting Facts:
Viceroy butterflies look very much like Monarch butterflies, which is advantageous to both
species. As they feed on milkweed plants, Monarch caterpillars store toxins from the plant in
their bodies making them poisonous to bird predators even when they are adults. Similarly,
Viceroy caterpillars feed on willow leaves and store toxic substances for adulthood. Since both
species produce toxins that affect different predators, and look so similar, a wider range of
predators avoid eating them.
Viceroy butterflies can be distinguished from Monarchs as they are smaller, and they have a
curved vein running across each hind wing, parallel to the bottom of the wing.
The sensory organs that help Monarchs to identify different plants are found on their feet and
heads. They use a small pipe, like a straw, called a “proboscis” to suck up the nectar from
plants. When not in use, the proboscis is curled up under the Monarch’s head.
Monarch Butterflies on the Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail Conservancy is continually acquiring and protecting land along the Niagara
Escarpment, often including land that contains many different milkweed species that are perfect
habitat to support Monarch caterpillars. Many of the wildflowers contained on Bruce managed
properties also provide a much needed food source for this and many other species.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]