Monarch Butterfly

monarch butterfly, (Danaus plexippus), familiar member of the milkweed butterfly group (subfamily Danainae, order Lepidoptera) known for its large size, its orange and black wings, and its long annual migrations. Monarchs are concentrated in North, Central, and South America but can also be found in Australia, Hawaii, India, and other locations, albeit intermittently in some. Several subspecies of monarchs have been recognized. The endangered subspecies Danaus plexippus plexippus is a migratory monarch found primarily in North America and occasionally on islands in the Caribbean region. The subspecies D. plexippus megalippe is a nonmigratory form that occurs on the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean.