The Monarch may be the most recognizable butterfly in the United States.

 

The scientific of Latin name for this species is Danaus plexippus.  It is a member of the family Nymphalidae, commonly called the Brushfoot family, of butterflies.  Members of this typically-colorful family tend to be medium-to-large in size and many have a set of brush-like hairs on their forelegs. A butterfly’s wings are an extension of this insect's exoskeleton that enables flight.

 

The Monarch’s familiar black and orange pattern is made up of pigmented scales that appear orange, and longitudinal veins that appear as black lines.  Every butterfly species has a distinctive wing pattern that is used for species identification.

 

The Monarch has “cousins,” namely the Queen (Danaus gilippus) and Soldier (Danaus eresimus) with whom it is sometimes confused. These are members of the same genus: Danaus, and all feed on milkweed.

 

There is a third look-alike called the Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) that mostly strongly resembles the Monarch, but is not a member of the same genus. The Viceroy feeds on willow, rather than milkweed and is considered a mimic. In nature, mimics evolve similar features for protection. This is an anti-predation device that signals a warning to predators.  The Viceroy imitates the Monarch for the benefit of survival.