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Monarch Butterfly - Danaus plexippus
Bright orange wings with black and white markings. The outer edge of the wings has a thick black border. Within the black border are white spots. The upper corner of the top set of wings has orange spots. The body of the monarch is black.
Monarch metamorphosis from egg to adult takes as little as 25 days, However, it is estimated that fewer than 10% of monarch eggs and caterpillars survive because they are so vulnerable to weather, parasites, and disease. Monarchs are harbingers of environmental change, and it seems that their numbers may be continuing to decline.
Habitat: Rural garden
The monarch butterfly or simply monarch is a milkweed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Other common names depending on region include milkweed, common tiger, wanderer, and black veined brown. It may be the most familiar North American butterfly, and is considered an iconic pollinator species.
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"Today is Western Monarch Day! Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are a graceful, beautiful, and widely recognized species. These stunning pollinators embark on a yearly migration that takes generations to complete. The annual monarch migration from the eastern United States to Mexico is a well-known phenomenon, but less people are aware of the smaller monarch migration that occurs from breeding locations in the West to the California coast. They arrive in late October and remain along the coast until mid-February, after which they reverse their journey. This epic migration is an instinctual journey that leads generations of monarchs across deserts, grasslands, and forests as they persistently travel countless miles to reach their destinations.
We celebrate monarchs and their unbelievable migration. But, the sad fact is that the Western monarch is in serious peril. In contrast to the eastern monarchs, whose populations have rebounded, populations of western monarchs have been devastated. In the 1980's, an estimated 4.5 million monarchs gathered at overwintering sites in California. That number has plummeted to a record low of 28,429 documented monarchs in January 2019. That's a decline of 99.4%, putting the western monarch migration at risk of extinction. The minimum viable population size for western monarchs before they experience a "migration collapse" is unknown, but is estimated to be around 30,000. Without this basic critical mass, there may not be enough monarchs to continue their western migration.
So, what is the cause of this devastating decline? The answer is complicated as there are many factors involved. These include habitat loss, severe weather, wildfires, and pesticide use. What can you do? Plant species of milkweed and wildflowers that are NATIVE to your area. Support organic agriculture. Plan your own landscape sustainably. Get involved in citizen science, volunteer for monarch counts, and support legislation that restores and protects migratory habitat. Learn more about these amazing insects! And, spread the word! Conservation truly relies on every single individual person that is willing to get involved. {Photo courtesy of JungleDragon moderator, Christine Young}" Posted 6 years ago