Monarch butterfly — size comparison

The monarch is a butterfly whose caterpillars develop mainly on milkweeds. Females lay eggs on these plants, and the larvae eat their leaves. Adults visit flowe

Silhouette comparison

Wingspan

między końcami rozłożonych skrzydełScale for the stated dimensions · each animal is labelled

Monarch butterfly

Danaus plexippus

85 mmDorosły motyl
wingspan

między końcami rozłożonych skrzydełMeasurement: side · approximate projection

The stated dimensions share a scale without a common ground line. Bank card · long edge 8.56 cm
Measurement comparisonScale in cm
0246810
Monarch butterflyWingspan85 mm
Bank cardLong edge of the card8.56 cm

The scale compares the named dimensions. View direction and measurement points are given for each animal.

Scale based on the stated dimensions for each animal

Bank card · long edge 8.56 cm
Monarch butterfly — size comparison — facts and sources

The monarch is a butterfly whose caterpillars develop mainly on milkweeds. Females lay eggs on these plants, and the larvae eat their leaves. Adults visit flowers for nectar.

Migratory North American populations travel great distances to overwintering sites. The northward return involves successive generations, so a single butterfly does not complete the entire route in both directions. Other parts of the range also have resident populations.

Migration connects distant overwintering, breeding and feeding areas. Milkweeds for caterpillars matter just as much as flowers providing food for adult butterflies.

Measurement sources