Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus
Identification
This butterfly has orange wings with black veins and white spotted borders.
Location
Common but declining
Size
3 to 4 inch wingspan
Diet
Adults feed on nectar while larvae feed exclusively on milkweed.
Habitat
It occurs in open fields and gardens across Ohio.
Activity Period
May to October
Behavior
It migrates long distances and depends on milkweed for reproduction. It migrates south in autumn.
Lifecycle
Breeding occurs in summer with multiple generations.
Population
The population is declining due to habitat loss.
History
It has long been widespread in Ohio.
Human Interactions
It often visits backyard gardens.
Facts
It travels thousands of miles during migration.
Sources
ODNR academic sources
Milkweed nectar | Fields meadows gardens | Statewide