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A monarch butterfly with spread wings on goldenrod flowers.
Important Pollinators Monarch butterflies help pollinate a variety of native plants!

Animals We Protect

Monarch Butterfly

This iconic butterfly faces threats to its survival everywhere. Get to know this incredible species and how you can help.

Last updated August 23, 2022

A monarch butterfly with outspread wings on a flowering plant.
Distinctive Pattern Monarch butterflies are easily identified by their stunning orange and black markings.

Monarch Butterfly Facts

  • Common name: Monarch butterfly
  • Scientific name: Danaus plexippus
  • Conservation status: Regionally threatened
  • Lifespan: 2 to 6 weeks
  • Wingspan: 3.5-4 inches
  • Reproduction: Monarch butterflies lay eggs only on milkweed plants, the only food source of caterpillars

Meet the Monarch Butterfly

The monarch butterfly is one of the most easily recognized butterflies, distinctive with its black and orange wings. The color pattern is recognized by potential predators as well, signaling that the insect may contain poison from the milkweed on which it feeds as a caterpillar.

The monarch is native to the Americas but has colonized such far-flung locales as Western Europe and Australia. Traditionally two main populations have been recognized: one east of the Rocky Mountains and one west. The eastern population migrates south to central Mexico, the western to California. Recently scientists have suggested that the two populations commingle extensively.

Closeup of a monarch butterfly caterpillar eating the leaf of a milkweed plant.
After the eggs hatch, a caterpillar emerges. These caterpillars go through five stages before they enter the chrysalis stage where they transform into an adult butterfly.
A closeup of a monarch butterfly chrysalis, or cocoon, hanging from a leaf.
Monarch Chrysalis
After the eggs hatch, a caterpillar emerges. These caterpillars go through five stages before they enter the chrysalis stage where they transform into an adult butterfly.
Monarch Chrysalis
Progression of the monarch from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.
Monarch Lifecycle Progression of the monarch from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. © Full Sail University

Monarch butterfly migrations

The monarch undertakes annual generational migrations:

  • In central Mexico, tens of millions of butterflies overwinter in less than 20 sites, gathering in 20-30 million per large roost.
  • They begin to disperse in late February and early March, mating and then flying north, usually making it to Texas before laying their eggs on milkweed plants.
  • The next generation continues the migration, leapfrogging north until the third or fourth generation arrives as far north as Canada in May and June.
  • This final generation migrates up to 2,200 miles back to Mexico, arriving in early November. They begin migrating singly and then are slowly funneled into flocks as they converge on roosting sites.

As they fly south, the butterflies may fly as high as 4,000 feet while riding thermals, averaging a stately 12 miles per hour. Intermediary generations have an adult lifespan of only 4-5 weeks, but the final annual generation lives 5-7 times longer, making the long migration and then surviving to overwinter, mate and return north.

A tiny monarch butterfly egg on the underside of a milkweed leaf.
Can you spot it? Monarch butterfly eggs are tiny and difficult to see. Monarch butterflies only lay eggs on milkweed plants.
A macro shot of a monarch butterfly egg, showing vertical ridges and a pointed tip.
Macro Egg This extreme close-up of a monarch butterfly egg shows the unique vertical ridges and dark top that distinguish monarch eggs from other eggs.
Can you spot it? Monarch butterfly eggs are tiny and difficult to see. Monarch butterflies only lay eggs on milkweed plants.
Macro Egg This extreme close-up of a monarch butterfly egg shows the unique vertical ridges and dark top that distinguish monarch eggs from other eggs.

Threats facing monarch butterflies

Researchers estimate that a jaw-dropping 970 million monarchs have vanished since 1990.

There are a number of threats to monarch butterflies including habitat loss, climate change and agricultural pesticide use that is reducing milkweed populations—a plant on which the monarch lays its eggs.

There are only eleven to fourteen mountaintops in Mexico where these butterflies can find a safe haven to wait out the harsh winters in temperate climates. These areas are being targeted for new roads, housing developments and agriculture expansion. In the southern coastline of California, the stands of eucalyptus trees, Monterey pines and Monterey cypresses are in danger of being cut down due to the rate of land development in the surrounding area.

How you can help monarchs

TNC is encouraging community scientists in a number of U.S. states to help track monarchs. This data will help researchers understand if monarch migration patterns are changing due to climate change or habitat loss. TNC's land stewards are also helping monarch populations by planting local and native species of milkweed at many preserves across North America.

More on Monarchs

Monarch butterfly resting on a flowe

Monarch Butterflies Bring Together Conservation and Culture Between U.S. and Mexico

Preserving the monarch butterfly and its unique migration across North America protects a cultural icon.

Cluster of monarch butterflies .

Monarchs in the Carson Valley

Citizen scientists are discovering important insights about Nevada’s monarch butterflies with help from The Nature Conservancy’s restored River Fork Ranch.

Illustration of wildflowers in a pollinator garden.

Pollinator Paradise

Want to help pollinators? In addition to supporting The Nature Conservancy’s work protecting and restoring habitat, the best thing you can do is to make your home, school, workplace or neighborhood pollinator friendly.

By Lisa Bramen