Nymphalidae

However, there are many more insects classified as arthropods other than just monarch butterflies. Furthermore, monarch butterflies are classified under the Lepidoptera order. This order consists of only very closely related organisms, such as moths and butterflies. They are classified under the Nymphalidae family. This family consists of “brush-footed butterflies.” They are classified this way because their front legs are shorter than all of the other ones. As you can tell from the imagine on the right, the front legs are so small that you can barely see them. This is a unique characteristic of the monarch butterfly’s family. Finally, the monarch butterfly is classified under the Danaus plexippus species. Commonly, this species is called monarch butterflies. Also, as stated before, one of the main characteristics about them is that they are…

The monarch butterfly, also known as Danaus plexippus, is recognized as America’s state insect with a wing span of 4 inches and 10 centimeters long – the longest wing span ever recorded within the monarchs’ insect population (Conant, 2012). Monarchs are notorious in the United States because of their spectacular migration across Canada and the United States to the overwintering sites in central Mexico – and back again. In this case, monarchs migrate between 2,000 to 3,000 miles every single year…

One of the most fascinating creatures to me as a child was the monarch butterfly. Not only for its eye-catching wings that match the autumn leaves, but how they are the only butterfly that migrates south for the winter, similar to birds. Every year, millions make their journey from North America to Mexico or California, although those individual butterflies won’t return. Monarch migration is one of mother nature’s greatest phenomena. They migrate for two reasons: they cannot withstand the harsh,…

What is a monarch butterfly? Well to be exact, the monarch butterfly is one of the most highly recognizable butterflies in America. Their beauty is what captures the eyes of many. They fly throughout the American sky and are mainly spotted on flowers with their beautiful orange, black and white wings that they are strongly known for. Note that on the hind wings of the male Monarch there are two visible black spots and also the webbing within the wings are quite thin. When a female is spotted,…

From larva to a majestic winged monarch butterfly, the transformation a caterpillar undergoes in its quest to become a butterfly is truly unique. In such process a sixteen legged pest morphs into a beautiful butterfly. Though a beautiful sight, what a caterpillar actually goes through on this journey is quite gruesome. Many wonder how this 180 degree transformation is possible, but broken down it is much simpler to comprehend. Monarch butterflies lay their milky white eggs on milkweed, insuring…

The Danaus Plexippi, known as the Monarch Butterfly, is considered to be the king of all butterflies for their beautiful orange and black colored wings and their incredible ability to migrate long distances such as, California and Mexico in large populations. Biologists have calculated distance of these arduous journeys to be 3000 miles, which is the longest journey that any insect can travel. Monarch butterflies are also unique in that generations of these species are able to migrate in the…

Monarch Butterflies and Public Awareness More than beautiful butterflies, monarch butterflies contribute to the health of our planet. While feeding on nectar, they pollinate many types of wildflowers and make our fruits. The monarch butterfly is known by scientists as Danaus plexippus, which in Greek literally means "sleepy transformation." The name evokes the species' ability to hibernate and metamorphize. There are four stages in the life cycle of a butterfly. A monarch begins life as a…

In the years, 1994 to 2016, there has been a steady decrease of the monarch butterfly population. The monarch butterfly species is extremely important species. This is because they are an essential part of the food chain. The lacking amount of milkweed is what is held accountable for the death of monarch butterflies. It is very important to conserve the milkweed population to protect the wonderful monarch butterflies. An increase of the Monarch butterfly population will lead to a healthy…

Have you ever wondered how Monarch butterflies are able to migrate from Canada to Mexico. To give you an idea they migrate 2,500 miles. Well today I am going to be explaining their life cycle. I am also going to be explaining how they are able to migrate. Did you know that it takes 4 generations of the butterflies to get back down to Mexico? Well without further ado here is my report. A butterfly has a very interesting life cycle. First they start out as an egg. But once they hatch from…

What do you think of when you hear the words, “butterfly”? Do you imagine a small, majestic, winged creature that you often see fluttering around the garden or backyard? Yes, I thought so. But that’s not how everybody may see monarchs. Farmers, gardeners, and even you depend on butterflies! Whether we know it or not. The Process of Pollinating Take farmers, for instance. They depend on pollinators, including this insect, or insecta, for their plants to blossom and develop. Do you often see a…