Diet

• Caterpillars feed almost exclusively on milkweeds and other plants in the family Apocynaceae, especially Asclepias species.

• The caterpillars sequester cardiac glycosides from their host plants, making both caterpillars and adults distasteful to many predators.

• Adults feed on nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants and can be particularly attracted to late-season nectar sources.

Range

• The Monarch has an enormous natural range extending from southern Canada through the United States and Mexico, Central America, and into northern South America.

• It is widespread in Guerrero and occurs in the Zihua area, particularly where suitable flowering plants and milkweed hosts are available.

• Monarch populations in tropical regions can differ substantially in behavior and seasonal movements from the familiar North American populations.

Habitat

• Monarchs occupy a remarkable variety of habitats, including meadows, grasslands, agricultural areas, forest edges, scrub, roadsides, gardens, coastal areas, and disturbed open vegetation.

• In the Zihua region, they can be encountered in sunny clearings, gardens, roadsides, and other areas with abundant nectar-producing flowers and milkweed hosts.

• Their ability to exploit disturbed habitats has helped make the species one of the most widespread butterflies in the Americas.

Description

• A large butterfly with a wingspan of approximately 90–100 mm, although smaller individuals occur.

• The upper surface is bright orange to orange-brown, crossed by prominent black veins and surrounded by a broad black border containing numerous white spots.

• The forewing tips are black with several rows of white spots, while the hindwings are predominantly orange with relatively few markings.

• The underside is similar but generally paler and duller, providing some camouflage when the wings are closed.

• Males have a distinctive black scent patch on each hindwing, consisting of specialized scales associated with chemical communication.

• The Monarch can be confused with the Queen (Danaus gilippus) and Soldier (Danaus eresimus). The Monarch is generally larger and brighter orange, with strongly defined black wing veins and a characteristic pattern of white spots along the black borders.