Something I like to do when I'm at an event is share little tidbits of information about certain insects that might be fun or interesting or sometimes just plain odd. So I'm always scouting the internet to learn new stuff. When I first started insect pinning, one of the first things I learned is the easiest way to tell the difference between the male & female Danaus plexippus, or Monarch Butterfly. And the funny thing is, once you know, you'll always look for this one very obvious identifying feature.
🧡 Bring the Monarch Home
The Monarch butterfly is one of the most beloved and recognizable butterflies in North America, a symbol of transformation, endurance, and natural wonder.
I create ethically sourced, museum-style framed butterfly specimens and nature art inspired by extraordinary species like this one. If you love Monarchs as much as I do, you can explore my available Monarch butterfly pieces here:
👉 View Monarch butterfly pieces in my shop:
👉 Browse all my butterfly art:
As you can see the male has a little black looking dot or patch on each of it's hindwings. These are called the androconal patch. At the base of these androconia are tiny sacs that contain pheromones used to attract females for mating. They have tiny hairs on the edges of their scales that disperses the pheromones.
Another, fairly easy way to tell them apart is that the wing veins are thinner on the males of this species. Though, you'd most likely need to have a male & female together to really tell the difference.
And that’s it! All you have to do is spot those spots & you’ll know whether you have a male or female monarch butterfly.
✨ Love the Monarch Butterfly?
The Monarch is more than just a beautiful insect. It’s a symbol of migration, resilience, and the quiet magic of nature. From its incredible life cycle to its subtle differences between males and females, it’s a species full of wonder.
If you’d like to own a museum-style framed Monarch butterfly specimen, you can explore my currently available pieces here:
👉 See Monarch butterfly pieces in my shop:
👉 Explore more framed butterflies and specimens:
Each piece is ethically sourced, carefully preserved, and framed to celebrate one of the world’s most iconic butterflies.
My husband and I had an inside thing about monarch butterflies. I got in my car one day and had the windows down. When I opened the door was this BEAUTIFUL MONARCH BUTTERFLY. COMPLETELY INTACT SETTING ON MY SEAT. I WASN’T ALIVE. I picked it up and cried. I have him in a plastic. container for safe keeping. My husband had passed away 2 years before. I carry him in my car everyday