SP

EC
MONARCH (Danaus plexippus)
a.k.a. Milkweed Butterfly
SP
EC
IE
IA
S
LC
ON
AT
RI
SK
CE
RN
Larva (Caterpillar)

~4-5 days ~2 weeks

Egg Larvae grow 2,000X their size gorging

actual size (~1 mm) only on milkweed leaves. This diet causes Pupa (Chrysalis)
them to be poisonous into adulthood!

Metamorphosis
LIFE CYCLE
It takes only a few hours for
Females can lay up to 400 eggs,
a caterpillar to transform
always on the undersides of
milkweed plant leaves.
Adult Butterfly into a chrysalis.

~1 month
(4th generation lives ~2 weeks
up to 9 months)

9 - 10 cm
Vibrant colours of adults and larvae warn predators they are toxic.
Adults feed on nectar from wildflowers like goldenrod and asters,
pollinating as they go.
 SPEC

MONARCH (Danaus plexippus) IAL C

ONC
ERN

Monarchs live in SASKATCHEWAN

grasslands where
milkweed and
wildflowers grow.
Report Monarchs to
Nature Saskatchewan
1-800-667-HOOT

There are two Monarch populations in North America: eastern and western. They
are separated by the continental divide because the Rocky Mountains act as a
barrier to flight. Monarchs in Saskatchewan are from the eastern population.

There are ~3 - 4 generations of

C A N A D A Monarchs born each summer. Each
generation lives only a few weeks,
Rocky M

migrating north and laying eggs

along the way, until late August
(usually the fourth generation).
This generation lives up to 9
o
untains

U S A months: migrating south for up to

2 months, overwintering in central
Mexico or California (depending on
which side of the Rocky Mountains
they live), and finally laying their
eggs in spring.

Spring/Early Summer Migration Monarchs have the longest and

largest insect migration in North
Late Summer/Fall Migration
America. Millions of Monarchs
undertake a migration that can be
Northern Extent of Monarch Range
M E X I C O up to 6,000 miles round trip!

Monarch populations have declined by up to 90%. One of the largest threats to Help Monarchs by planting
Monarchs is habitat loss, due to logging, agriculture, urban development, and a butterfly garden with
pesticide use affecting milkweed and wildflowers. wildflowers and milkweed
in your own backyard!

Nature Saskatchewans Stewards of Saskatchewan banner program is a habitat stewardship program for species at risk
supported by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environments Fish & Wildlife Development Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, The Mosaic Company, and Saskatchewan Student Summer Works program.
Nature Saskatchewan receives funding from SaskCulture through Saskatchewan Lotteries.

Image Credits: Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre, Learnaboutnature.com, S. Vinge-Mazer, and M. Ranalli Printed on FSC Certified paper. 2016