Monarchs

Nature By Karol Livote

Monarchs - These butterflies (Monarchs), were gathering on these beach flowers located in Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Connecticut. I got a kick of them because I have been seeing so many of these guys out on the water in Long Island Sound about 10 miles from shore. he monarch butterfly or simply monarch is a milkweed butterfly in the family. Other common names depending on region include milkweed, common tiger, wanderer, and black veined brown. It may be the most familiar North American butterfly, and is considered an iconic pollinator species. Its wings feature an easily recognizable black, orange, and white pattern, with a wingspan of 8.9–10.2 cm (3 1⁄2–4 in). The viceroy butterfly is similar in color and pattern, but is markedly smaller and has an extra black stripe across each hindwing. The eastern North American monarch population is notable for its annual southward late-summer/autumn migration from the northern and central United States and southern Canada to Florida and Mexico.During the fall migration, monarchs cover thousands of miles, with a corresponding multi-generational return north. The western North American population of monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains often migrates to sites in southern California but has been found in overwintering Mexican sites as well.