Page 81 - A Field Guide to Fairfax County's Plants and Wildlife
P. 81
arch Butterfly
(Danaus plexippus)
Description
Adult Monarch Butterflies have
bright orange wings with black
veins and black borders with white
spots and a wingspan of 8.9 to
10.2 centimeters. The veins on
the female are thicker than those
on the male. The caterpillars are
banded with yellow, white and
black stripes.
Distribution and Habitat
Monarch Butterflies prefer warmer climates and cannot tolerate frost. They
can be found in meadows, fields, marshes, roadsides and near water. Females
spend much of their time searching for or staying near milkweed because
this is the preferred food source (host species) for the caterpillars once the
eggs hatch. Monarch Butterflies require thick tree covering during the winter.
Monarchs are one of the few butterfly species that migrate. Monarchs in
the eastern United States migrate to Mexico in the winter and hibernate in
Oyamel Fir trees. They are found in all five physiographic provinces.
Role in Food Web
Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed
plants which are the main food for the
caterpillars. Adult monarchs feed on nectar
from many kinds of flowers. Monarchs
are poisonous to vertebrates due to
the Common Milkweed that they eat.
Invertebrates do not seem to mind the
poison, and spiders, wasps, stinkbugs
and ambush bugs will eat both larvae and
adults.
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(Danaus plexippus)
Description
Adult Monarch Butterflies have
bright orange wings with black
veins and black borders with white
spots and a wingspan of 8.9 to
10.2 centimeters. The veins on
the female are thicker than those
on the male. The caterpillars are
banded with yellow, white and
black stripes.
Distribution and Habitat
Monarch Butterflies prefer warmer climates and cannot tolerate frost. They
can be found in meadows, fields, marshes, roadsides and near water. Females
spend much of their time searching for or staying near milkweed because
this is the preferred food source (host species) for the caterpillars once the
eggs hatch. Monarch Butterflies require thick tree covering during the winter.
Monarchs are one of the few butterfly species that migrate. Monarchs in
the eastern United States migrate to Mexico in the winter and hibernate in
Oyamel Fir trees. They are found in all five physiographic provinces.
Role in Food Web
Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed
plants which are the main food for the
caterpillars. Adult monarchs feed on nectar
from many kinds of flowers. Monarchs
are poisonous to vertebrates due to
the Common Milkweed that they eat.
Invertebrates do not seem to mind the
poison, and spiders, wasps, stinkbugs
and ambush bugs will eat both larvae and
adults.
r 77 r
