Insects
Monarch Butterfly
Danaus plexippus
About
Famous for its extraordinary multigenerational migration of up to 4,800 km between Canada and central Mexico. The monarch's vivid orange-and-black wings advertise its toxicity — milkweed chemicals make them unpalatable to birds.
Their Eggs
Tiny, ridged, pale green or cream-colored eggs, each about the size of a pinhead, laid singly on the underside of milkweed leaves.
Egg Size Comparison
Fun Fact
A female monarch lays only one egg per milkweed plant to ensure each caterpillar has enough food. She can taste the plant with her feet to confirm it's milkweed before laying.