Monarch (Danaus Plexippus)

The best known of the butterflies, it is most noted for its long migration from places like Illinois to Mexico. For more on the migration, check out www.monarch.org.

Monarchs are commonly seen throughout Illinois and have a huge range that includes all of the Unites States, southern Canada, Central American and most of South America. This amazing butterfly lays itseggs only on milkweed species. When the caterpillar eats the milkweed leaves, it stores a toxin that makes it very distasteful to predators. The toxin also protects the adult butterfly.

It uses a wide variety of habitats, from prairies to roadsides, to urban gardens to weedy patches. Although it is widespread, it is losing overwintering habitat in Mexico where conservation efforts are underway to save what small amount remains. Loss of this habitat could have a significant impact on this species. Plant some milkweed in your garden and see if maybe a monarch will visit you and lay an egg or two!

Source: www.brookfieldzoo.org