Ten Monarch Butterfly Fun Facts

Here are a few commonly asked questions about Monarch butterflies.

1. Why are Monarch butterflies orange?
The orange of a Monarch butterfly's wings is an Aposematic signal, or warning color that signals predators that the butterfly will taste bad or may be toxic.

  

2. How far, fast and high can a Monarch fly?

• Distance: Tagged Monarch butterflies have been found to travel up to 265 miles in just one day. One butterfly was tagged in Waterford Pennsylvania and found in Virginia the very next day. Monarch butterflies have been known to travel 3,100 miles during their migration.
• Fast: A Monarch butterfly can flap its wings up to 120 times in a minute when trying to escape a predator. Their flight speed has been measured between 4 and 12 miles per hour but can be much faster if a Monarch uses wind currents that will carry it faster.
• Height: The most "up-there" Monarch was spotted by a glider pilot at 11,000 feet, over two miles above sea level. Journey North has a great explanation for how high that really is at this link.

3. How many Monarchs migrate to Mexico?
The number of migrating monarchs varies each year and the population is estimated in Mexico after the density of colonies (how many butterflies are in particular groups) are studied and the total number of hectares (area colonized by butterflies) have been figured. This population has been in a steady decline over recent years. The winter colony this year was estimated to be 59% smaller than the colony last year.

4. Do Monarch butterflies in Florida migrate to Mexico?
Florida Monarchs don't migrate to Mexico but some butterflies from the north may migrate into Florida in the fall. The Florida Monarch is a pretty interesting population and you can learn more about them here.

5. What is the range of Monarch butterflies?
The Monarch butterfly is fairly ubiquitous, being found in lots of places around the world. Monarch butterflies are found throughout North America but also have established populations in many Caribbean islands, Australia, Tahiti and can sometimes be found in Europe.

6. What do Monarchs do when it rains?
Mostly, Monarchs just hang out it the rain. The butterflies often seek some kind of shelter or hang upside down from a branch of leaf which helps raindrops to run off of their wings. You can learn more about butterflies on rainy days here.

7. What is the size of a Monarch butterfly?
Monarch butterflies are about 10 centimeters wide but can be much smaller or a bit bigger.

8. Can you tell a Monarch male from a female?
This question is easier to answer with a picture. Male monarchs have scent glands on their lower wings, which look like black spots and are used to lure in females for mating. In contrast, females lack this black spot, and instead have thicker black veining on their lower wings. In this photo, the male is on top and the female on the bottom. 


9. How long does a Monarch butterfly live?
It takes a Monarch butterfly about 4 weeks to make it from egg to adult. As an adult most Monarchs live about 2 to 6 weeks. Migrating Monarchs can live longer usually from August or September to some time in April.

10. What do Monarch caterpillars eat?
Monarch caterpillars eat many species of milkweed plants.