Monarch

Description:

This is a species of milkweed butterfly. It belongs to the family Nymphalidae, the Brush-footed Butterflies. It is strongly migratory. It migrates to a small area in Mexico every year. Four generations occur across the North American continent annually, with the fourth generation being longer-lived and geared to migrate and overwinter. The western population of Monarchs migrate to southern California instead of Mexico. This species is native to North America and parts of South America. Monarch populations are non-migratory in the southerly part of their range such as in the Caribbean. This species has been introduced to some other areas including Australia where it is known as the "Wanderer".

Habitat:

In open fields, farmland and gardens where milkweed grows.

Notes:

This individual was grown to an adult in captivity. The caterpillar was collected from Clarington, ON, Canada