North American Monarch
Taxonomic name: Danaus plexippus
Type: Insect
Conservation Status: Special Concern (SARA, Canada)
Wild Range: Southern Canada to Mexico
Diet: Milkweed plants as caterpillars and as adults, adults occasionally visit other flowers for nectar
Size: Wingspan: 8.9 - 10.2 cm
Weight: Approximately 0.5 grams
The monarch was the first butterfly to ever have its genome sequenced! It is 273 million base pairs long!
Monarch butterflies can be spotted around the Park and Zoo enjoying our various gardens. Keep your eye out for these iconic butterflies!
