Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

Monarch, Danaus plexippus

Palm Beach Gardens, FL
2015-11-24

The Monarch is one of the largest butterflies in the United States, belonging to the Nymphalidae family, also known as the Brush-Footed Butterfly family. This species is easily recognizable by its large orange wings, which are lined with bold black veins. Additionally, there are distinctive white marks on the edges and the base of the wings, adding to its striking appearance.

Monarch, Danaus plexippus

Elk Grove, IL
2012-05-30

The male Monarch butterfly has distinctive black spots on a vein on each hindwing. These spots are one of the key features that differentiate males from females.

Monarch, Danaus plexippus

Elk Grove, IL
2012-05-10

The body of the Monarch butterfly is a shiny black, adorned with distinctive white spots. These markings add to its striking appearance.

Monarch, Danaus plexippus

Palm Beach Gardens, FL
2015-11-24

The underside of the Monarch butterfly's wings is white, adorned with bold black veins. This striking contrast adds to the butterfly's overall beauty.

Other Nymphalidae species:

Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa

Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta

Eastern Comma
Polygonia comma

Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos

Northern Crescent
Phyciodes cocyta

Question Mark
Polygonia interrogationis

Aphrodite Fritillary
Speyeria aphrodite

Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia

Gulf Fritillary
Agraulis vanillae

White Peacock
Anartia jatrophae

Zebra Heliconian
Heliconius charithonia

Aphrodite Fritillary• Atala• *Cabbage White• Common Buckeye• Eastern Comma• Eastern Tailed-Blue• Eastern Tiger Swallowtail• Giant Swallowtail• Great Southern White• Gulf Fritillary• Monarch• Mourning Cloak• Pearl Crescent• Question Mark• Red Admiral• Southern Dogface• Summer Azure• White Peacock• Zebra Heliconian