Monarch,
Danaus plexippus

New Monarch Stock Photos Page

Monarch Monitoring during 2005 on the Eastern Shore of Virginia

Size: Wingspan is 3 1/2 to 4 inches.

Similar Species:
Viceroy
Queen

Habitat: Fields, meadows, roadsides and gardens.

Abundance: Common in most of the state.

Flight Period: Flies from early April until early November. Migrates heavily in September and October.

Comments: The top photo was taken in Clermont Co., NC on August 27, 2003. The second photo was taken in Victoria Co., TX on December 02, 2004. The third photo was taken along Brickhouse Road in Granville Co., NC on November 15, 2002. The photo at bottom is the Monarch caterpillar on Butterflyweed from Charleston, SC October 9, 1999.

Monarchs and Queens both use Milkweeds as a host plant for their caterpillars.

Monarch chrysalis found on August 25, 2001 in Orange Co., NC. Those are just dew drops BTW.

Butterflies