Monarch Butterfly

The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a milk weed butterfly. It is perhaps the best known of all North American butterflies. Since the 19th century, it has been found in New Zealand, and in Australia since 1871 where it is called the Wanderer. In Europe it is resident in the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Maderia and is found as an occasional migrant in Western Europe. Its wings feature an easily recognizable orange and black pattern, with a wing span of 3 1/2-4 inchs. The Viceroy butterfly has a similar size, color and pattern, but has a extra black stripe across the hind wing. Female Monarch s have a darker veins on their wing, the male Monardhs have a spot in the center of each hind wing and are larger.

The Monarch is famous for its southward migration and northward return in summer from Canada to Mexico and Baja California, which spans the life of three to four generations of this butterfly. The Monarch is the only butterfly that migrates both north and south. Like all insects the Monarch has six legs, however it uses only four of them as it carries its two front legs against its body. The eggs are creamy white and later turn pale yellow. Female Monarch deposit eggs for the next generation during these migrations.

It is sad to know that the Monarchs we see each summer are not the ones that come back. It is the third and fourth generations. How the species manage to return to the same overwintering spots over a gap of several generations ,it is still a subject of research, the flight pattern must be inherited The life span of most Monarchs is two months. Research has also shown that Monarch butterflies can use earth's nagnetic field for orentation. Also Monarch butterflies are one of the few insects capable of making the trans-Atlantic crossings.

Monarch butterflies are poisonous or distasteful to birds and mammals because of the presence of cardiac glycosides that are contained in milkweed consumed by the larva. In the pupa or chyrsalis stage, the caterpillar spins a silk pad on a twig. leaf and etc., and hangs from this pad by its last pair of prolegs. It hangs upside down in the shape of a J and then molts, leaving itself encased in an articulated green exoskeleton. At this stage his hormonal changes occur, leading to the development of a butterfly. It takes two weeks and he comes out and hangs several hours until his wings dry, then off he goes to find food.

Sorry this is so long, but I enjoyed also learning something about my favorite butterfly. I am also sorry to say I have not seen one in my yard this year (have you?).