Danaus plexippus
Wing span: 2 1/2 to 4 inches
leaves and flowers of butterfly weed and milkweed, Asclepias; spreading dogbane, Apocynum
nectar of: butterfly bush, Buddleia; milkweed, Asclepias; zinnia, Zinnia
before milkweeds bloom: dogbane, Apocynum; lilac, Syringa; red clover, Trifolium; thistles, Cirsium
in the fall: goldenrod, Solidago; ironweed, Vernonia; sunflower, Helianthus; tickseed, Coreopsis
open areas including, fields, marshes, meadows, roadsides, weedy areas
females lay eggs singly on underside of leaves, adults may migrate thousands of miles to Florida, California and Mexico where they hibernate for the winter