Family overview
Largest butterfly family. Front legs reduced, hairy, and held against the body — not used for walking. Highly variable colors and patterns.
Monarch migration is one of the most studied animal migrations on Earth.
At a glance
Family facts.
Distribution
Worldwide
Habitat
Terrestrial
Approx. species
6,000
Notable members
Monarch (Danaus plexippus), painted lady, mourning cloak, fritillaries, viceroy, red admiral, comma, question mark, owl butterflies, longwings