Danaus plexippus plexippus

Common name: Monarch

Meaning of name:

Unknown.

Distribution:

Occurs from Perth to Cape Leeuwin. There are populations at a number of other Western Australian localities, usually around populated areas.

Description:

The caterpillars grow to approximately 70 millimetres long. The adults can have a wingspan of up to 93 millimetres.

Notes:

Occurs in a wide variety of habitats. The caterpillars are known to feed on Asclepias physocarpa, Gomphocarpus cancellatus, Calotropis gigantea, Stapelia grandiflora, Stapelia variegata and Araujia hortorum.

References:

The Complete Guide to Butterflies of Australia. Michael F Braby. 2004

Atlas of Living Australia https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/127ae005-62ed-4868-b947-b1a981d5e579

Butterfly House https://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/nymp/plexippus.html