 Monarch butterfly Photo by Sally Phillips |
Monarch butterflyDanaus plexippus (Linnaeus)
Order :
Lepidoptera
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BackSize range:
- Large butterfly, wingspan up to 100 mm
Distribution:
- Originally from the Pacific Coast of North America
Life History:
- Caterpillars feed on plants of the Asclepiadaceae family, usually Swan plant in New Zealand
- Alternative food plants are Tweedia and Araujia
- Adults take only liquid food, nectar and water
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| Male monarch showing scent pocket on hind wings | monarch caterpillar starting to pupate | monarch pupa | Adult female |
What is this bug? A guide to common invertebrates of New Zealand.
www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biosystematics/invertebrates/invertid/
English version: Clunie, L. 2004 and updates. Māori version: Clunie, L. and Jacob, H. 2008.
