Definition of monarch butterfly
: a large migratory American butterfly (Danaus plexippus) that has orange-brown wings with black veins and borders and a larva that feeds on milkweed
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Recent Examples of monarch butterfly from the Web
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Some participants held giant cutouts of the monarch butterfly, representing free migration.
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Her daughter, Caitlin, did a craft showing the life cycle of a monarch butterfly.
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Then there’s a focus on migration, showcasing animals such as the monarch butterfly, a species that can travel more than 9,000 miles in a season.
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While on a walk, local musician Alyssa Mattson was suddenly struck by something: a yellow monarch butterfly near a green bush.
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More options include bungee jumping, a cheese and wine tour (the Querétaro region is a major producer of dairy products and good quality wine) and a visit to a sanctuary for monarch butterflies, which winter there from November through March.
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Hour three will cover the actual process of raising the caterpillars that become monarch butterflies, watching as nature takes its course and being a good steward of the habitat.
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Mitch the new monarch butterfly is feeling a little insecure.
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There are also monarch butterflies, cicadas, and other perhaps more approachable creatures.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'monarch butterfly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of monarch butterfly
First Known Use of monarch butterfly
1890
MONARCH BUTTERFLY Defined for English Language Learners
monarch butterfly
Definition of monarch butterfly for English Language Learners
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: a large orange and black American butterfly
MONARCH BUTTERFLY Defined for Kids
monarch butterfly
Definition of monarch butterfly for Students
: a large orange and black American butterfly
Learn More about monarch butterfly
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monarch butterfly
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