Monarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus

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Insect Profile

Beneficial Rating

+5 Beneficial

Active Months

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

US Distribution

NortheastSoutheastMidwestSouthwestWestPacific Northwest

Habitat Preferences

gardensmeadowsforest edgesfieldswetlands

Taxonomic Group

Butterfly

Order

Lepidoptera

Family

Nymphalidae

Lifecycle

The Monarch butterfly undergoes a complete metamorphosis with four distinct stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult. The entire process from egg to adult can take as little as 25 days in warm summer temperatures, but can extend to seven weeks in cooler spring conditions. Typically, fewer than 10% of eggs and caterpillars survive to adulthood due to weather, predators, and disease. Eggs are laid singly on the underside of young milkweed leaves and hatch in 3-8 days. The caterpillar stage has five instars, each lasting 3-5 days. The caterpillar grows from a few millimeters to about 4.5 cm in length. The pupal stage lasts for 8-15 days, during which the transformation into an adult butterfly occurs. The adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis and lives for 2-5 weeks during the breeding season. The migrating generation, however, lives much longer, up to 8-9 months.

Overwintering Strategy

The eastern population of North American monarchs overwinters in oyamel fir forests in central Mexico, while the western population overwinters in groves of eucalyptus, Monterey pines, and Monterey cypress trees along the coast of California.

Native Range

North America

Attracted By

milkweedgoldenrodbutterfly bushcosmoslantanalilaczinnia

Repelled By

PesticidesHerbicides

Companion Planting

Planting milkweed alongside other nectar-rich flowers like goldenrod, cosmos, and zinnias will create a supportive habitat for monarch butterflies. This will not only provide food for the caterpillars but also a continuous source of nectar for the adult butterflies.