Issue: Monarch Butterfly
Type: First Day Cover
Number of Stamps: 1
Stamps Denomination: 22c
Issue Date: 3 April 2014
Issued By: Canada Post, Canada
Monarch Butterfly FDC
Issue Details- Monarch Butterfly:
The long distance traveller, the Monarch Butterfly is probably the best-known butterfly in North America.
Monarch Butterfly
The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a well-known and distinctive butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae. Here are some details about the Monarch butterfly:
Physical Appearance:
Adult Monarch butterflies are large and have a wingspan ranging from 8.9 to 10.2 centimeters (3.5 to 4 inches). The wings are orange with black veins and borders. They have white spots along the edges of the wings, and the tips of the forewings have a black patch with white spots. The undersides of the wings are similar in color but have a lighter tone.
Monarch Butterfly FDC Back side
Range and Habitat:
Monarch butterflies are native to North, Central, and South America. They have a vast range, spanning from southern Canada to northern South America. They undertake extensive migrations, with some populations traveling thousands of kilometers. Monarchs can be found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, fields, gardens, and forests.
Life Cycle:
Monarch butterflies undergo a complete metamorphosis, consisting of four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult. Females lay their eggs on the underside of milkweed leaves, which serve as the primary food source for the caterpillars. After hatching, the larvae go through five instars, shedding their exoskeletons as they grow. The caterpillars have black, yellow, and white stripes and feed voraciously on milkweed. Once fully grown, they form a chrysalis and undergo a remarkable transformation inside. After about 10 to 14 days, an adult butterfly emerges.
Migration:
One of the most remarkable aspects of Monarch butterflies is their migration. Eastern North American Monarchs undertake a massive annual migration from Canada and the United States to wintering sites in Mexico. Western North American Monarchs migrate to the coast of California or southern Mexico. These migratory journeys can cover thousands of kilometers and involve multiple generations of butterflies.
Chemical Defense:
Monarch butterflies possess a unique defense mechanism due to the toxins they acquire from feeding on milkweed plants. These toxins make them distasteful and toxic to potential predators, serving as a form of protection.
Conservation Status:
Monarch butterflies are facing significant threats, including habitat loss, climate change, pesticide use, and the decline of milkweed plants. As a result, their populations have declined in recent years. Many conservation efforts are underway to protect their breeding habitats, establish milkweed corridors, and raise awareness about the importance of preserving this iconic species.
Monarch Butterfly FDC
The Monarch butterfly’s remarkable beauty, migratory behavior, and ecological significance have made it a symbol of conservation and a beloved insect worldwide.