The monarch butterfly is perhaps the most recognizable butterfly of them all. It is easily recognized because of its distinctive orange and black wing pattern. Males tend to be slightly larger than females and may have a spot in the center of their hind wings. Female monarch butterflies tend to have darker veins in their wings.
There are actually two types of subspecies in the Monarch butterfly family. The main difference between the two is that one subspecies, the Danaus p. plexippus, migrates and the other subspecies, the Danaus p. megalippe, does not. Migratory monarchs are generally found in North America, because of the climate changes and non-migratory monarchs are found in hot climates around the equator.
Monarchs tend to have a long annual migrations period. The migration will commence sometime between August and the first frost of the year. The northward migration occurs in the spring. The lifespan of a monarch butterfly is a little less than two months.
Of the many species of insects that inhabit the planet the Monarch is one of a few that can actually survive a transatlantic crossing. If the wind conditions are right Monarchs can make it to Great Britain and monarchs have also been found in Hawaii and New Zealand.
Monarch butterflies are actually poisonous to many animals. They store poison found in milkweed plants. When they are caterpillars they eat the milkweed plant and after they turn into a butterfly they still store this poison. The bright orange of their wings is a danger sign, warning any predator that they will get very ill or even die from eating the monarch butterfly. Other butterflies like the Viceroy have evolved to resemble the Monarch has a survival tactic.
Butterfly gardens are a popular way to attract butterflies to your yard. You can also grow and tend to your own monarch caterpillars. Once they have turned into a butterfly you can then release it into the wild. Milkweed plants are the Monarchs first choice for mating, and laying their eggs as the caterpillar eats the milkweed plant once it is hatched. Steps have been taken to protect monarch wintering habitats so they do not become endangered. Deforestation was a serious threat to monarchs at one point in time.
Monarchs actually care for their children/caterpillars until they turn into a butterfly. It takes about 9 months, or a wintering period, for the caterpillar to develop and be born. Once the child is about 13 it will get its first pair of wings and go out into the unknown world. Most monarchs tend to form their own cocoon away from their parents.
Despite being poisonous monarchs due have some natural predators. Brown Thrushes, Robins, Sparrows, Pinyon Jays, Scrub Jays, Cardinals, and Grackles can all tolerate the level of poison in the Monarch. The Asian ladybug eats the eggs and larvae.
There are actually two types of subspecies in the Monarch butterfly family. The main difference between the two is that one subspecies, the Danaus p. plexippus, migrates and the other subspecies, the Danaus p. megalippe, does not. Migratory monarchs are generally found in North America, because of the climate changes and non-migratory monarchs are found in hot climates around the equator.
Monarchs tend to have a long annual migrations period. The migration will commence sometime between August and the first frost of the year. The northward migration occurs in the spring. The lifespan of a monarch butterfly is a little less than two months.
Of the many species of insects that inhabit the planet the Monarch is one of a few that can actually survive a transatlantic crossing. If the wind conditions are right Monarchs can make it to Great Britain and monarchs have also been found in Hawaii and New Zealand.
Monarch butterflies are actually poisonous to many animals. They store poison found in milkweed plants. When they are caterpillars they eat the milkweed plant and after they turn into a butterfly they still store this poison. The bright orange of their wings is a danger sign, warning any predator that they will get very ill or even die from eating the monarch butterfly. Other butterflies like the Viceroy have evolved to resemble the Monarch has a survival tactic.
Butterfly gardens are a popular way to attract butterflies to your yard. You can also grow and tend to your own monarch caterpillars. Once they have turned into a butterfly you can then release it into the wild. Milkweed plants are the Monarchs first choice for mating, and laying their eggs as the caterpillar eats the milkweed plant once it is hatched. Steps have been taken to protect monarch wintering habitats so they do not become endangered. Deforestation was a serious threat to monarchs at one point in time.
Monarchs actually care for their children/caterpillars until they turn into a butterfly. It takes about 9 months, or a wintering period, for the caterpillar to develop and be born. Once the child is about 13 it will get its first pair of wings and go out into the unknown world. Most monarchs tend to form their own cocoon away from their parents.
Despite being poisonous monarchs due have some natural predators. Brown Thrushes, Robins, Sparrows, Pinyon Jays, Scrub Jays, Cardinals, and Grackles can all tolerate the level of poison in the Monarch. The Asian ladybug eats the eggs and larvae.
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To learn more about different types of butterflies and how to attract them to your garden, visit http://www.homebutterflygarden.com.
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