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Monarch Butterfly Facts
Monarch Butterfly Facts
Kingdom
: Animalia
Phylum
: Arthropoda
Class
: Insecta
Order
: Lepidoptera
Family
: Nymphalidae
Genus
: Danaus
Species
: D. plexippus
13 Monarch Butterfly Facts for Kids
The monarch butterfly is a milkweed butterfly that is a member of the genus Danaus.
The binomial name for the monarch butterfly is Danaus plexippus.
The monarch butterfly was given its name in 1758, by Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, zoologist, and physician.
Itβs believed the monarch butterfly got its name to honor the king of England, William III.
The monarch butterfly is easy to identify by the black, orange and white patterns on their wings.
The average wingspan of a monarch butterfly is between 3.5 and 4 inches.
The monarch butterfly goes through four stages of metamorphosis, which includes egg, larvae, pupa and adult.
Monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillar) exclusively eat milkweed plants.
Adult monarch butterflies eat nectar for many different flowing plants.
Adult monarch butterflies migrate over very large distances, up to 4,800 miles.
The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is commonly confused with the viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus).
In 2009, monarch butterflies were bred and raised on International Space Station.
A monarch butterfly garden is when someone grows plants specifically to attract monarch butterflies.
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Monarch Butterfly Pictures
A picture of the monarch butterfly on a flower.
Credit: Charlie Neibergall / AP
A picture of two monarch butterflies on a plant.
Credit: Monarch-Butterfly.com
A diagram of the monarch butterfly showing all parts.
Credit: The Joyful Learner
Additional Resources for Monarch Butterfly Facts
Monarch Butterfly - National Geographic
β Discover more amazing facts about the monarch butterfly on the National Geographic website.
Monarch Butterfly - WWF
β Visit the World Wildlife Fund website to learn more about the monarch butterfly.
Monarch Butterfly - National Wildlife Federation
β Discover more amazing facts about the monarch butterfly on the National Wildlife Federation website.