AnimalsThe monarch is an orange and black butterfly famous for its migration: every autumn millions fly thousands of kilometres from the United States and Canada to spend winter in Mexico. Its caterpillars feed on milkweed, which makes them poisonous to birds.
Quick facts
- Scientific name
- Danaus plexippus
- Group
- Invertebrates
- Diet
- Herbivore (eats plants)
- Lives in
- North and Central America
- Habitat
- Meadows, fields and gardens
- A young one is called
- caterpillar
- A group is called
- flutter or kaleidoscope
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
How it is classified
Scientists sort living things into groups within groups. Reading down, each step is a smaller group, ending with the species itself.
- Kingdom Animalia
- Phylum Arthropoda
- Class Insecta
- Order Lepidoptera
- Family Nymphalidae
- Genus Danaus
- Species Danaus plexippus
Classification follows the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Other reference works arrange some groups differently. How classification works.
Is it in danger?
The monarch butterfly is listed as Least Concern. The species is widespread or numerous enough that it is not considered at risk of extinction at present.
This is the IUCN Red List category as recorded in Wikidata on 11 November 2026. The IUCN Red List itself is the authority and may carry a newer assessment. What the categories mean.