Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

The monarch is perhaps the best known of all North American butterflies where it ranges from southern Canada to northern South America. It can also be found in Australia, New Zealand, Europe.

Identification

Adults have tawny-orange upper side of the wings, with black veins and margins. In the margins are two series of small white spots. The fore wings also have a few orange spots near the tip. The underside is similar but the tip of the fore wing and hind wing are a duller yellow-brown instead of tawny-orange and the white spots are larger.

Adult Male

The adult male has a black patch on the hind wings, and the black veins on its wing are narrower than the female’s. The male is also slightly larger.

Gallery

Monarch

Groveland, California (2010)

Monarch

Groveland, California (2010)

Related Page Hierarchy

Species

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)

Phylum: Arthropoda (insects, spiders, crustaceans)

Class: Insecta (insects)

Order: Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths)

Family: Nymphalidae (Nymphalid butterflies)

California sister (Adelpha californica)

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

Isabella's heliconian (Eueides isabella)