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Monarch Butterfly |
Scientific:
Danaus plexippus L. Description:
ws
8.6-12.5 cm (3⅜
- 4⅞ in) Males:
Bright cinnamon orange color, black scent patch in the middle of hind
wing where black vein-like scales meet Females:
Dull orange/brown. Wings are more thickly scaled with black veins. Eggs:
Laid singly on the underside of common milkweed leaves, up to 400
eggs laid by one female. Eggs hatch 3-12 days depending on temperature. Larva:
5cm, vivid yellow, white and black striped caterpillars, shed skin
up to 4 times. Pupa:
Chrysalis shiny jade green vase with a band of golden speckles. Habitat:
Open areas with
herbaceous and woody plants. Larval food plant: Common milkweed. Life
History: 4,000 km
migration to Mexico. Migration is completed in segments by different
generations. Monarchs fly strongly and sail with their wings in a
shallow V. Similar
Species: Viceroy (Limenitis
archippus) - black post median band on hindwing, single set of white
dots against the black wing border. Monarchs have two rows of dots.
Viceroy larvae usually feed on willows and poplars. Ecological
Role: Pollination,
food source for birds that tolerate plant toxins stored in body. Threats:
Ontario:
Destruction of common milkweed, land clearing and weed control. Mexico:
Frost, destruction of trees and plants. Conversion of native
grasslands to farms in North America
has reduced habitat, while clearing hardwood forests in eastern
Canada and the USA has increased their habitat for
the eastern population. What
you can do: Maintain
common milkweed and other native flowering plants.
Protect migration stopover sites.
Petition OMAFRA to remove common milkweed from the list of
noxious weeds. Compiled By: Fred Pinto, Nipissing Naturalist. |
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