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Monarchs are found throughout the world, but they probably originated in the Americas. Those living here probably found their way to Hawai'i by hanging onto ships riggings.
During my first winter in Hawai'i, I was thrilled to find a Crown Flower tree next to my house because the Crown Flower tree is part of the milkweed family, and milk-weedy plants are the nourishment Monarchs need. One day I noticed a cute plump green caterpillar chomping on the leaves of my tree, so I grabbed my camera so I could document the birth of a Monarch Butterfly in my yard on Sunset Point. * * North Shore Blog and More 
Monarch caterpillar muching on the underside of a leaf
Monarch caterpillar Monarchs will only lay their eggs on milkweeds. Milkweeds contain a potent heart poison, which helps to protect them from browsing animals and leaf-eating insects such grasshoppers. Monarchs are able to store this poison within their own bodies, making themselves poisonous in turn. They are very brightly colored, both as a caterpillar and as an adult, to advertise that they are not good to eat. Whenever an insect is brightly colored, rather than camouflaged to match its background, it usually means they have a secret weapon. It may be bad to eat, such as a Monarch, or it may have a potent defense, such as bees and wasps. It is not a perfect defense, however. Spiders, reptiles and certain mammals and birds are able to eat the Monarch without ill effect. species Danaus plexippus
Monarch caterpillar muching on the underside of a leaf
Monarch caterpillar Monarchs will only lay their eggs on milkweeds. Milkweeds contain a potent heart poison, which helps to protect them from browsing animals and leaf-eating insects such grasshoppers. Monarchs are able to store this poison within their own bodies, making themselves poisonous in turn. They are very brightly colored, both as a caterpillar and as an adult, to advertise that they are not good to eat. Whenever an insect is brightly colored, rather than camouflaged to match its background, it usually means they have a secret weapon. It may be bad to eat, such as a Monarch, or it may have a potent defense, such as bees and wasps. It is not a perfect defense, however. Spiders, reptiles and certain mammals and birds are able to eat the Monarch without ill effect. species Danaus plexippus |
