Danaid Monarch - description, habitat, species

This material is dedicated to the monarch danaide - butterfly, which is counted among the lepidoptera and in particular arthropod insects. Representatives of the nymphalid family are practically no different among the rest, but this does not prevent them from captivating the attention of lovers. Danaid have a kind of the same name. For such a small person came up with an impressive name, and this is no accident. It is commonly believed that the name has royal roots and draws from mythology.

Description

1. In these lepidopterans there is practically nothing that stands out. They have wings spread on both sides, which range in scale from 7 to 10 cm. However, this is not the fact that is considered the most distinctive.
2. Wings, consisting of more than 1.5 million cells, allow insects to fly about 4 thousand km. In these cells accumulate a lot of air bubbles, which allow the lepidoptera to fly like that.
3. As for the color of the wings, there are a lot of shades.But the most obvious are reddish-brown outlines and pigmentation. Of course, there are yellow, green, orange patterns, consisting of spots or stripes.
4. It is possible to distinguish males with females by pigmentation. Individuals of the male half are lighter, while female representatives of the family are dark. In addition, females are slightly smaller in overall characteristics.

Habitat

1. This species of lepidoptera is considered to be migratory. Individuals are able to fly many kilometers in order to reach warm climatic regions at the end. In winter, butterflies are already warm and bask in the sun. Lepidoptera begin to migrate as soon as food in their area of ​​residence ends.
2. Since our representative is a member of the danaid family, she also belongs to the nymphalid family. To date, it includes about 12 species of lepidoptera, which many have forgotten. Due to the fact that there are many different individuals, external characteristics can also vary.
3. When the insect is in flight and spreads its wings, it looks very impressive.Their scope can be up to 10 cm, so the butterflies look very beautiful. However, it was already mentioned earlier that the distinctive characteristic is not the span, but the presence of 1.5 million holes filled with air. These bubbles allow you to travel long distances in a relatively short time.
4. Some representatives have bright yellow stripes, but often these butterflies live only in America. The most beautiful representatives are occupied by the territory of North America, where large and multi-colored danaids live. The edges of the wings may have a black pigmented edging. Thanks to this, it is possible to distinguish individuals of the male half from the female.
5. Since migration occurs for compelling reasons (lack of food in a normal habitat), butterflies flew to different parts of the globe. To date, a huge population is concentrated in Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and surrounding areas. Insects live in the Canary Islands and Madeira. With great success, there are representatives of the family in the open spaces of our country.
6. Observing the migration of lepidoptera, it should be saidthat they fly away from North America around the end of summer. Going to the southern part, butterflies gather in flocks. It looks impressive because a live cloud leaves the edges at once. If they live north, then they are preparing for the flight in the spring.
7. Even if the female is in an awkward position, she does not remain, but continues to prepare for departure with the rest of the family. It will save eggs until it reaches its final destination. Then he will settle in the new zone, lay eggs and will successfully develop. In Mexico, there is a nature reserve in which these butterflies feel very comfortable.

Lifestyle

1. These insects are heat-loving creatures. Individuals quickly die if sudden changes in climate change occur, especially during cooling. It is worth noting the surprising fact that such butterflies are world record holders for flights to warm countries. Their distance is about 4000 km. At the same time they are able to reach a speed of 35 km / h.
2. Due to the unique color of the caterpillar does not even fear the predators. Bright stripes throughout the body make it clear to the enemy that the larvae have poison.In addition, in two weeks, while the caterpillars live in this form, they eat food 15,000 times more than the mass of their own body. As a result, the larvae grow to a length of 8 cm.
3. In this case, adult female caterpillars begin to lay eggs on the inner part of the leaves of plants. The main dish in the usual diet of such insects is vatochnik. The juice of this plant is saturated with glycoside. As soon as substances accumulate, they pass into the body of the insect.
4. With the onset of the cold period, individuals try to get plenty of such nectar, using it in large quantities. Due to this, natural sugar is synthesized in adipose tissue. That is what is necessary for butterflies during a long journey. After that individuals migrate.
5. As soon as the butterflies arrive at the wintering site, they hibernate for 4 months. At the same time, individuals in such a state look quite unusual and it is not clear who they resemble. Moreover, the hibernation of butterflies proceeds in huge colonies. To keep warm, individuals stick around the branches of plants that produce milky sap.
6. If you see such a spectacle in the trees, you can unwittingly think that the individuals are hanging in the form of bunches of grapes or mountain ash.After the butterflies wake up from hibernation, they immediately spread their wings and begin to swing them intensely. Thus, the insects are warm before the flight.

Nutrition

Adults considered individuals in most cases feed on the nectar of various flowers and plants. Most often it can be lilac, aster, carrot, splash, teasel, lucernic and many others.

Breeding

1. The mating season in such insects falls in the spring. After mating has occurred, the female lays an egg. Literally 4 days later, the larva is already emerging. It is during such a period that the caterpillars pose the greatest danger to agriculture.
2. They become very much, while the larvae have a brutal appetite. As soon as the caterpillar accumulates a sufficient amount of fat, pupation occurs. In just 2 weeks, a full-fledged butterfly is born.

In addition, numerous observations by scientists of the insects in question have revealed that such individuals live from 2 weeks to 2 months. Climate conditions, lifestyles and the presence of natural enemies play a big role. However, the caterpillars eat some poisonous plants, accumulating toxins in themselves.Therefore, birds and other animals rarely attack insects.

Video: Danaus monarch (Danaus plexippus)