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Monarch Butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is one of the most recognizable butterfly species. It was named by early North American settlers, who saw its bright orange colors and thought of the King of England, William of Orange. This connection is even more obvious in Canada, where the monarch is called a “King Billy.”

But the bright orange and black wings of the monarch also serve as a warning to predators. Monarchs are highly toxic. Eating just one can make a bird sick, and that’s enough to keep it away from monarchs in the future.

In fact, monarchs are so well protected that another species of butterfly, the viceroy (Limenitis archippus), which is not toxic, has evolved a similar black and orange pattern. Predators that have learned to avoid monarchs also steer clear of viceroys. This is an example of Batesian mimicry, named for the 19th century naturalist who first described the phenomenon of mimicry.

More information:

ZooGoer 30(4) 1999. Copyright 1999 Friends of the National Zoo. All rights reserved.

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