Monarch Butterfly
Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus
The Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus, is a beloved symbol of migration and transformation, often seen fluttering through the coastal habitats of Huntington Beach, California. With their distinctive orange wings adorned with black veins and white spots, Monarchs are easily recognizable. They undergo a remarkable journey, migrating thousands of miles from breeding grounds in North America to overwintering sites in Mexico and California. In Huntington Beach, Monarchs can be observed during their fall migration, clustering in eucalyptus groves and other sheltered areas before continuing their journey.
Monarch butterflies are characterized by their black outline with white spectacles, as well as their orange interiors. They inhabit numerous areas of the world, specifically North and South America, Australia and Indonesia, which allow for migration patterns to colder areas during the summer, and warmer areas during the winter. Spot them in Orange County during the winter, where they migrate in order to avoid cold weather.
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