Monarch (Danaus plexippus) – Long Distance

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 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 , like other , 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, 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]