Monarch, female

Description:

Large butterfly, dull orange, black border with double marginal row of white spots. White spots on body. Host: milkweeds (Asclepias)

Habitat:

Open fields, roadsides, suburban areas. While migrating it can be anywhere.

Notes:

Huge numbers of Monarchs move south throughout the East in September and October. Millions of monarchs from North America eventually overwinter in communal sites high in the fir-clad Mexican mountains. In early spring the overwintering adults mate and begin to move north and lay eggs. Their offspring then continue moving north, reaching much of the East in April or May. I usually get mating monarchs in my yard in August. I grow several different kinds of milkweeds for them to lay their eggs on. Their offspring will be the special brood that migrates to Mexico.