Magnificent Monarchs

Iconic, Orange-Black-Winged Butterflies Rely on Milkweeds for Food and Growth 

Monarch butterflies are among the most easily recognizable butterfly species in North America, with their deep orange wings with black borders and veins, along with white spots along the wings’ edges. Below are some facts on these widely known pollinators. 

1. According to World Wildlife’s Monarch Butterfly Survey Report for the 2023–2024 winter season, monarchs occupied only 2.2 acres during that season, which is 59% less than the 5.5 acres observed last year. 

2. Meanwhile, monarch populations in California have been declining at about 5% per year since 1997, when there were “low millions” in the 1980s, according to the Xerces Society.  

3. Despite declining populations, the monarch is currently listed as “least concern” in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Red List of Threatened Species. 

4. Monarch larvae only eat milkweed leaves, but adult monarchs can drink nectar from several kinds of flowers, including milkweed. 

5. Male monarchs have two black spots near the center of their hind wings, which females lack. 

6. Monarchs migrate distances of more than 3,000 km (~1860 miles) to their overwintering sites during their suspended reproduction (diapause) state. 

Sources: 

• Monarch Life Cycle | Ask A Biologist (asu.edu) 

• Monarch Butterfly | National Wildlife Federation (nwf.org) 

• Danaus plexippus (Monarch) (iucnredlist.org) 

• Monarch_Butterfly_Survey_Report_Feb_7_2024_.pdf (worldwildlife.org) 

• The Current Status of Western Monarch Butterflies, By the Numbers | Xerces Society 

• Monarch (Danaus plexippus) | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)