Monarch butterfly
(𝑫𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒖𝒔)
Conservation Status: Not Extinct
Photo Credit: USFWS Headquarters/Creative Commons
Facts: While it may be cold outside now, as the days grow warmer and the flowers start to bloom, a familiar creature, the monarch butterfly, returns to the refuge. These beautiful creates normally take on massive migrations from August to October, flying thousands of miles south to hibernate. As the weather warms, they migrate back north, females lay eggs along the way.
While you may only associate the yellow/orange and black wing pattern to the monarch butterfly, this coloration is not unique to this creature. The coloration of the monarch butterfly mimics that of the viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archppus) and is known as Mullerian mimicry. Mullerian mimicry is a resemblance between two or more unrelated, dangerous creatures, which share the very similar warning patterns. In this case, the monarch butterfly and the viceroy butterfly share a similar warning coloration and toxic taste to predators. Mimicry is seen in many different creatures, and is a fascinating way species protect themselves against predators. What other species on the refuge might have a type of mimicry?
Supporting Pollinator Species: Planting butterfly friendly flowers will help support the caterpillars and adults. Milkweeds are popular as food and help protect against predators. Milkweeds contain cardiac glycosides which are stored in their bodies and are poisons and distasteful to prey.
Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Danaus-plexippus, https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/Monarch_Butterfly/migration/index.shtml, https://www.britannica.com/science/Mullerian-mimicry