FAMILY NAME: Nymphalidae SUB FAMILY: Danaidae GENUS/SPECIES: Danaus plexippus COMMON NAMES: Monarch or Wanderer
SIZE: Wingspan approx 100mm or 4".
LOCATION: Originating in North America, they have now colinised South America, the Pacific Islands, Australasia and Western Europe.
LIFE CYCLE: The eggs hatch within about 8 days. Laval stage is approx 2 weeks duration, during which time the larva will shed it's skin as it grows to about 40mm in length. Pupation may last from 9 - 15 days, depending on the weather temperature. Adults that overwinter, may live up to 9 months.
GENERAL: The host plants for this butterfly are those in the Asclepias genus, or Milkweeds. They exude a milky sap which contains several toxins, to which the butterflies and their larvae are immune. In fact the butterflies absorb one of these toxins, and become toxic themselves, so they have few predators. The male and female generally have a similar appearance, except that the female has wider black veins in the wings, and the male has a black "sex spot" on each of the rear wings. Being of the Nymphalidae family, they only have 4 useful legs, as the first pair are insignificant. The plant in the pohotograph above is a host plant, Asclepias curassavica or the "Red-headed Cottonbush". The larva are black, with white and yellow rings for the entire length of the body. They have a pair of black feelers at the head and at the tail. The pupa is at first pale green, becoming transparent when the butterfly is due to emerge.
