Newly emerged female Monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, resting on a bloom of swamp milkweed in Kansas, USA

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Newly emerged Monarch butterfly, raised in captivity, Danaus plexippus, resting on a bloom of swamp milkweed in Kansas, USA. Monarch butterfly numbers have decreased precipitously in the last 20 years. Many people are planting milkweed in their gardens to help them since milkweed is the only plant Monarchs will lay eggs on, and the caterpillars will eat. Some people are harvesting Monarch eggs to raise in cages indoors to save from predators.

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Size: 2480px × 3100px
Location: Kansas, USA
Photo credit: © B LaRue / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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