monarch butterfly

American  

[mon-erk buht-er-flahy, mon-ahrk] / ˈmɒn ərk ˌbʌt ərˌflaɪ, ˈmɒn ɑrk /

noun

1. a large, deep-orange butterfly, Danaus plexippus, having black and white markings, the larvae of which feed on the leaves of milkweed: highly valued as a pollinator, the monarch butterfly is currently not evaluated by the IUCN, but the protection of the species and its habitat is central to several conservation efforts.

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Etymology

Origin of monarch butterfly

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Beyond cephalopods, xanthommatin is also found in insects within the arthropod group, contributing to the brilliant orange and yellow hues of monarch butterfly wings and the bright reds seen in dragonfly bodies and fly eyes.

From Science Daily • Nov. 3, 2025

Roswell residents know how to have fun, and the city hosts all kinds of annual festivals ranging from a summertime ice cream social and monarch butterfly celebration to outdoor movies.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 29, 2025

The Western population of the monarch butterfly has declined to a near-record low with fewer than 10,000 found living in California this winter, a foreboding sign for the future of the beloved black-and-orange insect.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2025

Or makeup artist Monste Ribé, nominated for “Society of the Snow,” whose gown seemed crafted of monarch butterfly wings.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 10, 2024

I’ve seen many surprising friendships during my life: a pony and a toad, a red-tailed hawk and a white-footed mouse, a lilac bush and a monarch butterfly.

From "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate