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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Butterflies and Skippers (Papilionoidea) » Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae) » Milkweed Butterflies & Glasswings (Danainae) » Milkweed Butterflies (Danaini) » Danaus » Monarch - Hodges#4614 (Danaus plexippus)
Photo#200354
Monarch - Danaus plexippus
Copyright © 2008 bbjones

Monarch - Danaus plexippus
Richmond, Chesterfield County, Virginia, USA
September 1, 2007
Size: ~3 inch wingspan
We had four of these butterflies around all summer/fall, until one got caught in a spider web. Three of the four had wingspans of approximately 3 inches. One was maybe half their size. None of them seemed bothered by my camera being right in their space. I haven't seen them yet this year, but I believe they appear later in the season.

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Monarch - Danaus plexippus Monarch - Danaus plexippus
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Contributed by bbjones on 11 July, 2008 - 3:28pm
Last updated 11 July, 2008 - 9:19pm

No, not a Viceroy, it's a Monarch
they are very similar but the Viceroy has a black stripe across the hind wing which the Monarch lacks. Guide page here.
… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 11 July, 2008 - 3:31pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks again Hannah!
I had been calling them Monarchs all along, but then I convinced myself I was wrong. Thanks for setting it straight. Do they "hang out" in groups?
… bbjones, 11 July, 2008 - 3:42pm login or register to post comments

 
Not always
but the migrating ones in fall can gather in large numbers as they make their way south. The guide page has more details. Prior to migration, it's possible you had some that were including your yard on a daily route. I've seen that behavior in several butterflies.
… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 12 July, 2008 - 7:22am login or register to post comments

 
do they sting
my brother says that some butterflies have poison in them. but i think
this isnt true
… bugman101, 23 May, 2009 - 1:04pm login or register to post comments

 
They do have toxins in them
but they don't sting (no butterflies have stingers). The poison is to deter other creatures from eating them - they get it from the milkweed plants their caterpillars eat.
… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 27 May, 2009 - 6:23am login or register to post comments

 
favorite
these are my moms favorite butterfly
… bugman101, 23 May, 2009 - 1:06pm login or register to post comments

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