These large and colourful butterflies are known as the “Wanderers” in America where their amazing migration has been well documented. Some have successfully crossed from America into Europe but can only breed here in localized areas with a suitably mild climate.
Small breeding colonies can be found in Andalusia, along the Mediterranean coast where the climate it does not freeze. Their larval food plants have been planted in gardens and parks and on occasions have naturalized aiding the spread of this species. (We have seen Asclepias plants leaving garden centres carrying many tiny caterpillars of this species, therefore assisting their distribution)
The upperwings have a ground colour of burnt orange with an outline of black spotted with white. The underside has a paler yellow/orange ground colour, again with a black trim but with two lines of pure white dots. Throughout there are very noticeable black veins. The head is black with obviously pure white spots.

The caterpillars of this species can grow up to 5cm long, they are brightly coloured with bands of white, black and yellow. They have two pairs of black tentacles protruding from their backs, the longer pair at the front.

Family: Danaidae
Scientific name: Danaus plexippus
English common name: Monarch
Spanish common name: Monarca
Portuguese common name: Monarca

Wing size: Size: 75-100mm

Altitude: Sea level to 400m
Flight time: All year
Caterpillar food plant: Asclepias curassavica, Thevetia, Gomphocarpus fruticosus.
Distribution: Breeding in warm coastal areas between Cadiz and Malaga, Canary Islands.
The only butterfly to live in Africa, Europe and America
Similar species: Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus) which has similar colouring but lacks the black veining of the monarch.

Butterflies of Iberia
These are included in the list of butterflies in Andalusia.
Images taken in Andalucia, Southern Spain.