Male Monarch ButterflyEnlarge

MaleEnlarge	FemaleEnlarge
FemaleEnlarge

Life Cycle of Butterflies

Egg/LarvaEnlarge	CaterpillarEnlarge
ChrysalisEnlarge	EmergingEnlarge

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

Family: Brush-footed Butterfly (Nymphalidae)

Subfamily: Milkweed Butterfly (Danainae)

Average Wingspan: 3 1/2" - 4"

Habitat: Open areas, meadows, fields

Similar To: Queen , Viceroy

Plants That Attract This Butterfly

• Nectar Plants (What is this?)
  Butterfly Bush, Blazing Stars, Butterfly Milkweed, Coreopsis, Lantana, Common Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed , Blood Flower, Salvia
  
• Host Plants (What is this?)
  Common Milkweed, Butterfly Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed , Blood Flower

* May not be available for purchase at your local nursery.

Note: Always check a plant's Hardiness Zone to make sure it will grow in your area. (What Is My Hardiness Zone?)

Where To Buy Plants

Butterfly Flight Range Map

Photo Credits:
Male (open wing) - Fred Miller
Male (closed wing) - Fred Miller
Female (open wing) - Lynn Bennett Byrd
Female (closed wing) - Fred Miller
Egg/Larva - Diane P. Brooks
Caterpillar - Fred Miller
Chrysalis - Fred Miller
Emerging - Fred Miller