One of the most recognizable butterflies today is the monarch butterfly. Its distinctive orange and black wings make it easy to pick out among the plants and flowers. Females tend to be a little smaller than males and have darker veins in their wings. Males usually have a black spot in the middle of their hind wings.
Of the many monarch butterflies found around the world there are actually only two subspecies. The migratory subspecies known as the Danaus p. plexippus is normally found in North America, but it has been seen in Europe and Australia. The Danus p. megalippe is the other subspecies and this is a non-migratory butterfly subspecies. These subspecies tend to be found in very hot climates close to the equator in areas like Florida, Central America and the Caribbean.
The start of the annual migration will commence sometime between the start of August and the years first frost. The monarch's annual migration does tend to be long, specifically compared to the monarchs life span of about 2 months. Northward travel then tends to occur in the spring, when the temperature is noticeably warmer.
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 do not have many predators because they are naturally poisonous. In caterpillar form they eat the milkweed leaves and store the poison from this plant. It is still stored in their body when they turn into a butterfly. The orange in their wings is a warning sign to animals that they are dangerous and may be hazardous to that animal's health. The Viceroy butterfly resembles the Monarch but unlike the Monarch they are not poisonous.
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.
A brief overview of the Monarchs mating cycle is as follows. The female prepares herself for breeding and the breeding occurs. The baby Monarchs actually develop in the female for a period of nine months. The eggs are laid and the caterpillars emerge. Once the child is born it is cared for by its parents until if turns into a full butterfly, at about 13, in butterfly years. Once it gets its first pair of wings it ventures out on its own to form its own cocoon.
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.
Of the many monarch butterflies found around the world there are actually only two subspecies. The migratory subspecies known as the Danaus p. plexippus is normally found in North America, but it has been seen in Europe and Australia. The Danus p. megalippe is the other subspecies and this is a non-migratory butterfly subspecies. These subspecies tend to be found in very hot climates close to the equator in areas like Florida, Central America and the Caribbean.
The start of the annual migration will commence sometime between the start of August and the years first frost. The monarch's annual migration does tend to be long, specifically compared to the monarchs life span of about 2 months. Northward travel then tends to occur in the spring, when the temperature is noticeably warmer.
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 do not have many predators because they are naturally poisonous. In caterpillar form they eat the milkweed leaves and store the poison from this plant. It is still stored in their body when they turn into a butterfly. The orange in their wings is a warning sign to animals that they are dangerous and may be hazardous to that animal's health. The Viceroy butterfly resembles the Monarch but unlike the Monarch they are not poisonous.
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.
A brief overview of the Monarchs mating cycle is as follows. The female prepares herself for breeding and the breeding occurs. The baby Monarchs actually develop in the female for a period of nine months. The eggs are laid and the caterpillars emerge. Once the child is born it is cared for by its parents until if turns into a full butterfly, at about 13, in butterfly years. Once it gets its first pair of wings it ventures out on its own to form its own cocoon.
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.
About the Author:
It's not difficult to have a beautiful garden that attracts butterflies! Visit http://www.homebutterflygarden.com to learn how to makeas well as learn more about different types of butterflies such as the monarch butterfly.
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