visits the garden milkweed patches
- Size
- Wingspan: 90-105 mm
- Lifespan
- Adult: 2-6 weeks. Migratory individuals may live longer.
- Diet
- Caterpillars feed on milkweed (Gomphocarpus and Asclepias species). Adults feed on nectar from a wide range of flowering plants, especially swan plants.
- Habitat
- Gardens, parks, roadsides, and open areas with milkweed (host plant) and flowering plants for nectar. Often found near human habitation.
- Range
- Native to North and South America. Self-introduced to New Zealand. Now found throughout the North Island and South Island, mainly in lowland areas.
- Endemism
- Introduced
- Main Threats
- No significant threats in New Zealand. Pesticide use may affect local populations.
- Population
- Self-introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century. Now common and widespread. Annual migrations observed. Not threatened.
- Conservation Status
- data_deficient
- Human Risk
- poisonous
- Handling Note
- larvae sequester cardenolides from milkweed causing toxicity
- Conservation Note
- Introduced butterfly; migratory population status variable, not subject to conservation assessment.
- Te Ao Māori
- Kakahu is the Māori name for the Monarch butterfly, meaning "cloak" or "garment", referring to its colourful wings. The Monarch is a self-introduced species. It has become a familiar part of New Zealand gardens. Its caterpillars feed on milkweed, a plant also introduced. The butterfly is now a beloved summer visitor.
The celebrity. Not originally native, but absolutely part of New Zealand life now. Danaus plexippus, the Monarch butterfly, is one of the most recognised insects in the world. Its orange and black wings are unmistakable. It arrived in New Zealand on its own, crossing the Tasman or blown by storms. Now it is everywhere.
The wings are bright orange with black veins and white spots on the black borders. The caterpillar is striped yellow, black, and white. It feeds exclusively on milkweed (Gomphocarpus and Asclepias species). The pupa is a jade-green chrysalis with gold dots.
Monarchs breed through summer. The caterpillars eat milkweed. The adults fly from October to May. Some overwinter, clustering in trees, though New Zealand winters are milder than those in North America.
The Monarch is native to North America. It arrived in New Zealand in the 1800s. It established quickly. It is now self-sustaining. Some individuals migrate locally.
The name kakahu is the Māori name for the Monarch. It means "cloak" or "garment", referring to the butterfly's colourful wings.
Monarchs are not threatened in New Zealand. Their host plant, milkweed, is widely available. Their biggest risk is pesticide use in gardens.
The Monarch is a reminder. Some immigrants become locals. They arrive, establish, belong. They are part of the story now.