Monarch
Danaus plexippus
This bug has been reportedly found in the following regions:
Mobile, Alabama
Phoenix, Arizona
Queen Creek, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona(2 reports)
Barling, Arkansas
Deer, Arkansas
Marion, Arkansas
North Little Rock, Arkansas
Canoga Park, California
Citrus Heights, California
Fairfax, California
Newark, California
Pacific Grove, California(2 reports)
Pismo Beach, California
San Diego, California
San Simeon, California
Santa Cruz, California
Clifton, Colorado
Bear, Delaware
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Atlantic Beach, Florida
Boca Raton, Florida
Brooksville, Florida
Cape Coral, Florida
Citra, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, Florida(2 reports)
Jacksonville, Florida(3 reports)
Largo, Florida
Lutz, Florida
Naples, Florida
New Port Richey, Florida
Oldsmar, Florida
Palm Coast, Florida
Saint Cloud, Florida
Sebring, Florida
Spring Hill, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Weston, Florida
Winter Garden, Florida
Winter Springs, Florida
Demorest, Georgia
Griffin, Georgia
Mableton, Georgia
Rincon, Georgia
KAILUA KONA, Hawaii
Algonquin, Illinois
Anna, Illinois
Cherry Valley, Illinois
Chester, Illinois
Davis Junction, Illinois
Divernon, Illinois
Galva, Illinois
La Grange Park, Illinois
Niles, Illinois
Rock Falls, Illinois
Westchester, Illinois
Bluffton, Indiana
Coatesville, Indiana
Greentown, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Newburgh, Indiana
Atalissa, Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Yale, Iowa
Wichita, Kansas
Ewing, Kentucky
Hebron, Kentucky
Owensboro, Kentucky
Salvisa, Kentucky
Hammond, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
Vacherie, Louisiana
Durham, Maine
Skowhegan, Maine
South China, Maine
Crofton, Maryland
Fallston, Maryland
Frederick, Maryland
Oakland, Maryland
Assonet, Massachusetts
Halifax, Massachusetts
Malden, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts
Bark River, Michigan
Central Lake, Michigan
Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Pinconning, Michigan
Warren, Michigan
Albertville, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Wayzata, Minnesota
Lincoln, Nebraska(2 reports)
Hudson, New Hampshire
Marlton, New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey
Claverack, New York
Henrietta, New York
Himrod, New York
Poughkeepsie, New York
Rego Park, New York
West Babylon, New York
Cary, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Red Oak, North Carolina
Belfield, North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Bowling Green, Ohio
Bucyrus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio(2 reports)
Franklin, Ohio
Glouster, Ohio
Guysville, Ohio
Kellyville, Oklahoma
Perkins, Oklahoma
Gold Hill, Oregon
Alexandria, Pennsylvania
Middleburg, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania(2 reports)
Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
North Augusta, South Carolina
Yankton, South Dakota
Clarksville, Tennessee
Pocahontas, Tennessee
Abilene, Texas
Baytown, Texas
Brownsville, Texas
Deer Park, Texas
Desoto, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Houston, Texas(3 reports)
Keller, Texas
Los Fresnos, Texas
Lufkin, Texas
Mcallen, Texas
Mission, Texas
Missouri City, Texas
New Caney, Texas
Pipe Creek, Texas
Portland, Texas
San Antonio, Texas(2 reports)
Smiley, Texas
Spring, Texas(2 reports)
Terrell, Texas
Charlottesville, Virginia
Jonesville, Virginia
Penhook, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Altoona, Wisconsin
Brookfield, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Ranchester, Wyoming
show all
VooDooU
In my Monarch Facebook group honeyvine is becoming a favorite for those in the correct zones :)
coriaceous
These are among the nastiest of weeds, and are among the most serious threats to our wild areas and wildlife, second only to land development.
There are easy, beautiful, and well-behaved native milkweeds that will support monarchs in our gardens, especially butterfly weed (A. tuberosa) and swamp milkweed (A. incarnata). Both are easy and ornamental clump-formers, unlike the homely common milkweed, which spreads by a deep running rh... read more
nan7valleys
To my friends who understand my passion for gardening and fight against herbicides:
Milkweed should be on the endangered species list - not Monarchs! PLEASE BE AWARE -- if this ruling is approved, schools and backyard gardeners like myself would be restricted from collecting and protecting eggs and cocoons. After much research and reading over the last two years, especially Fast Track Butterfly Gardening by Rose Franklin, I have nurtured a plot of milkweed plants, (and host plants for other species), increased my number of nectar plants, successfully reared 17 Monarchs out of 17 eggs on my first attempt, ( a success rate unachievable in the wild) and developed interest and excitement in numer... read more
Chillybean
We have plenty of Common Milkweed in our pasture, but adult Monarchs will also feed on our Blazing Stars.
Why the neutral rating among all the positives? They are nice and yes, they need our help, but I find other butterflies equally as fascinating. :)
tlm1
napolemj
LouC
Christi
SusanLouise
rampbrat
twopuppies
aggscott
Help the Monarchs and plant Milkweed
Malus2006
Here's some interesting facts - In the 1840s they were found in Hawaii, then 1850s through 1860s they were found on most South Pacific Islands, then in the early 1870s they were found on Australia and New Zealand. Interesting to know - they most likely were aided by humans - also milkweed have been spreading throughout Australia and New Zealand from North America. Recently they have been found in the Canary Islands and West Europe.
Host Plants of the Monarch Butterfly
Northern Portion of Range - Eastern United States.
(I'm trying to find information on host plants in Western North America - on... read more
mamapajama
blossombloom
Marilynbeth
Sheila965
plantladyhou
Joan
Adult female monarchs lay their eggs on the underside of milkweed leaves. These eggs hatch, depending on temperature, in three to twelve days.
The larvae feed on the plant leaves for about two weeks and develop into caterpillars about 2 inches long.
After awhile, the caterpillars attach themselves head down to a convenient twig, they shed their outer skin and begin the transformation into a pupa (or chrysalis), a process which is completed in a matter of hours.
The pupa resembles a waxy, jade vase and becomes increasingly transparent as the process progresses. The caterpillar co... read more
okus
The similar Viceroy is smaller with shorter wings. The Queen and Tropic Queen are browner and smaller.