The female lays the eggs on the undersides of the milkweed leaves, and they hatch in three to five days. The larvae, or caterpillars, wriggle out and start feeding on the host plant. They will grow and molt four times, before they attach themselves to a secure spot and molt for a final time. The skin then hardens, and the beautiful green chrysalis forms, protecting it while it undergoes the most amazing transformation of them all. In less than two weeks, the chrysalis becomes clear, and soon after, the adult monarch emerges. The adults lives only for several weeks, feeding on nectar with their straw-like tongue, the proboscis. Life for this beauty is truly short but sweet.
The monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, is a familiar backyard visitor and easy to recognize with its bold orange and black patterning. They arrived in the Hawaii islands around 1850, not long after the introduction of the host plants Asclepias curassavica, also known as the tropical milkweed, and later, Calotropis gigantea, the crown flower. Whether they came here on their own, or with the aid of humans is not known. They are capable of great migrations and have crossed the Atlantic, though they never became established in Great Britain, probably due to the absence of their host plants. Host plants are the plants that different butterfly species lay their eggs on and which their larvae eat. They also need nectar plants, which attract and feed the adult butterflies. Monarchs are present in the Pacific islands wherever their host plant exists; however, those in Hawaii don't appear to migrate. Monarchs are poisonous to many potential predators due to the Cardiac glycosides they have from eating the milkweed plants. These substances are strong heart stimulators, and can be fatal to birds. However, the two bulbul species here, the red-vented and the red-whiskered bulbul apparently do eat monarchs. It has also been noted that certain mice are able to eat monarchs. Other predators of adults include wasps. Spiders and ants may attack the eggs, which is the first of the four stages in the complete metamorphosis that the monarch undergoes.
The female lays the eggs on the undersides of the milkweed leaves, and they hatch in three to five days. The larvae, or caterpillars, wriggle out and start feeding on the host plant. They will grow and molt four times, before they attach themselves to a secure spot and molt for a final time. The skin then hardens, and the beautiful green chrysalis forms, protecting it while it undergoes the most amazing transformation of them all. In less than two weeks, the chrysalis becomes clear, and soon after, the adult monarch emerges. The adults lives only for several weeks, feeding on nectar with their straw-like tongue, the proboscis. Life for this beauty is truly short but sweet.
61 Comments
Bob Harding
3/2/2015 01:24:14 am
Aloha,
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7/30/2015 06:54:49 pm
I raise monarchs
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Bob
7/31/2015 01:37:20 am
Thanks for reply. Please email me at pinetopbob (at) gmail.com
Bobbie
10/13/2015 07:31:51 pm
When is monarch butterfly season.. I have huge crown flower tree.. I only found 6 catipillar.. I looking for catipillars to rear and release hoping to farm more on my bare crown flower tree.. could the lizards be eating my catipillar?
Dan
10/23/2018 09:40:41 am
Reproductive Activity, Seasonal Abundance and Parasitism of the
Pat
6/4/2020 05:48:21 pm
Mark - do you still sell the plants to feed butterflies?
Niki
6/21/2018 12:09:56 pm
Hawai'i does not grow milk weed. You must feed "Crown Flower" plants. They are a type of milk weed. Crown flower is the only thing Hawaiian cats can eat. Watch out for ants and lizards.
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Jeanne
6/21/2018 01:15:44 pm
There is something called "tropical milkweed" aka Mexican Butterfly weed.(ASCLEPIAS CURASSAVICA )
Niki Rogerson
7/21/2018 11:35:28 pm
You Are looking for Crown flower. Crown flower is a type of milkweed and the only thing Hawaiian monarchs will eat. Make sure your crown flower had not been sprayed with anything as it will kill butterflies.
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Niki Myers-Rogerson
10/10/2018 04:13:55 pm
There is no Milk weed in Hawaii. You are looking for Crown flowers. It is a type of milk weed that catipillers can eat. It's the only plant that Hawaiian monarchs can eat. Good luck.I am on Oahu or I would give you some. Make sure your crown flower had not been sprayed with any pesticides. Aloha, Niki
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Niki Rogerson
6/21/2019 11:45:07 pm
Please forgive me. I was told that absolutely no milkweed grows on Oahu. But it does. My neighbor gave me plants. Butterflies laid eggs on it and the caterpillars are eating it and the plant is growing big and strong. My neighbor planted her plants from seeds and they grow well in Kahalu'u.
Wendy Himongala
7/27/2019 12:43:53 am
On Kauai you find them living on the crown flowers which are also used for making beautiful Lei's 🤗
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Cynthia
11/21/2021 12:30:30 pm
Just saw your request for milkweed.
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John
12/29/2021 01:45:04 pm
I am raising a lot of Monarch butterflies. Can I have some of your plant trimmings? I have about 20 cacoons and 50 or more catepillars, but they are eating all my leaves. Are you near Wahiawa?
Dawn Yoshimura
3/24/2023 11:14:21 am
Maybe because the state strongly discourages having this plant as it is classified as a weed. But there are many who have it growing, so ask a neighbor for cuttings.
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5/9/2015 07:03:44 pm
Aloha Bob,
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Niki Myers Rogerson
3/15/2019 02:39:28 am
Darcy Butcher
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Michelle
1/29/2021 08:48:27 pm
There definitely IS milkweed in Hawaii. It's at all the stores. Tropical milkweed. Grows just fine here on the Big Island and I had about 15 monarch caterpillars growing on my 6 plants last year. I started to wonder what is being done for the Monarchs in Hawaii. The Monarch population in southern CA is mostly ignored, or the people who raise them are criticized for using Tropical milkweed plants. Our population is not migratory, but more a residential roamer, looking for the best spot to spend its month and mate. We don't really have any type of organization that is helpful to us. I was wondering what you all experience over there. I would love to hear from you. I'll be liking your FB today, to share with my FB page. Perhaps someday I'll be able to come over and visit!
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Niki Myers-Rogerson
7/21/2018 11:59:13 pm
I planted crown flowers in my back yard in Kahalu'u, Hawai'i. The Butterflies came. Im constantly making cuttings and growing more. Once the cat's arrive, I put them in 3 foot cage because the ants eat the chrysalis. Oh that makes me so mad. I have about 14 chrysalis right now and butterflies coming every day to drop off more eggs. I can barely keep up with them. But it is so worth it. I love the butterflies. If you want to see a good video on Hawaiian Butterflies watch this. https://youtu.be/MvuiWODeb40
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Veronica prislin
10/29/2021 01:27:49 pm
Hi Niki, my name is Veronica. I am a gardening teacher at my school. I am looking for milkweed plants to plant in our school garden. Do you have any cuttings or seeds that I could buy or our school? This year we are creating a "butterfly garden' and learning how to raise monarchs. 12/24/2017 05:15:44 pm
Hi there, I live in the Big Island and am interested in planting milkweed to host the Monarchs. Can I buy them from you?
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Niki Myers Rogerson
3/15/2019 02:48:29 am
Edith McKenzie,
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Kaleia McDade
1/17/2018 11:36:40 am
I live on Oahu and my mom found a weak female monarch. We have been trying to get her to fight. And today she is a lot better. I don't know if it is just the end of her life or if she just needed a little tlc. So I didn't want nature to take its course. I would like to be able to see if someone can give her a home with other butterflies or if you think she will be okay to release.
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Tom Ross
2/11/2018 07:39:48 pm
I’m in Up Country Maui and my red lychee tree is blooming and swarming with Monarchs! They seem to fill the ironwood trees as well.
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Pat Frey
4/15/2018 03:51:25 pm
I photographed some Monarchs resting on a tree at the Kealea Boardwalk on Maui about a month ago (March 12 or 13). The tree was not in bloom. I am an east coast mainlander and this was the first clue I had that Monarchs were present on Hawaii.
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Craig Rudholm
11/19/2018 09:37:59 pm
I am in California. Can I buy Hawaiian monarch eggs?
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Michelle
1/29/2021 08:50:21 pm
There is no definitive difference between Hawaiian and mainland US monarchs. All the same. Buy from a mainland supplier.
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Craig Rudholm
11/23/2018 04:12:35 pm
I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area. Can you sell me Monarch eggs, or do I have to take a vacation and find them myself? I grew up with them and want them flying around here again,
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Niki Myers-Rogerson
11/23/2018 04:35:55 pm
I'd be happy to send eggs however they hatch in 3-5 days and I'd have no idea how old they are when I found them. I doubt very much if they'd make it though the mail. Why don't you try to locate monarchs in your area. Plant Milkweed and whatever flowers they like to hang out on in San Francisco. Good luck. Niki
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Lawrence
4/11/2019 08:16:38 pm
I had many thousands of caterpillars in my garden last year, and this year, only one showed up to feed on my Asclepias curassavica, and my Calotropis gigantea. I have not seen one Monarch Butterfly so far this year, and it is now mid-April. Could they all have been killed by insecticides? I have heard that Hawaii Monarchs do not migrate- but could they have ‘migrated’ to another Hawaiian island? How can I find out what happened?
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Lawrence
4/11/2019 08:40:40 pm
By the way, I live in Honolulu.
Niki Myers Rogerson
8/1/2019 02:36:00 am
This seems to happen to everyone. The first year or so there is plenty. Then the mo'o, ant's, and bo'o birds show up. These are all enemies of the butterflies in different stages. Bo'o birds eat the cats. They are the only birds that can because the plants Cats eat (crown flower, milk weed) make all the other birds sick. Ant's eat the eggs and the chrysalis. Boo boo birds eat cats. Mo'o eat everything it seems. What I do is find the cats in the morning but then but them i butterfly cages which their predators can't get into. I buy then in Amazon. I line the botton with paper. Cut branches of crown flower and put them in a jar with water sho they root as they are being eaten. I stuff paper towels around the top of jars so that they can't fall in and drown. I also have sewn cheesecloth to the top of the cages so the cats can climb up and become chrysalis. When the chrysalises turn black they hatch the next day. I let them out of cages and give them juicy fruit (peaches lately or sugar water) while they dry their wings. After they eat they fly away safe.
Penny
6/21/2019 02:08:45 pm
Do anole lizards eat monarch eggs? I have lots of lizards and lots of monarch eggs on my crown flower but the eggs keep disappearing.
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Niki Myers Rogerson
8/1/2019 02:37:25 am
Yes they love to eat chrysalis. I recommend simple cages bought on Amazon.
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Niki Myers Rogerson
6/21/2019 02:28:21 pm
I truly am a trusting person. The person that told me no Milk weed grows in Hawaii is dead wrong. I sm now growing a few plants myself. I apoligise for being mis-informed. Milk weed does grow in Hawaii.
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Kim
8/9/2019 10:30:38 pm
Niki, do you have a lot of milk weed plants? I’m in Kahaluu as well, and my one tropical milk weed got eaten up by cats while I was on vacation. I’d love to get another one, as I’ve not had success with seeds.
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Penny
8/1/2019 12:34:06 am
Something is attacking my monarch eggs. They are turning black. What is the culprit?
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Niki Myers Rogerson
8/3/2019 03:04:28 pm
Penny they turn very dark right before they hatch. Are you sure they are not just getting ready to hatch?
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Kim
8/9/2019 10:28:35 pm
If they turn black and do not hatch, it could have been destroyed by a parasitic was laying its eggs inside. If the egg does not hatch in 48 hours after darkening, smash it or else the wasp larvae will emerge.
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Nora Williams
8/8/2019 06:23:03 pm
We live on oahu and are planting crown flowers around the yard. We are definitely seeing monarchs but arent finding eggs (we are planning to bring them in with leaves to protect them). Pardob my ignorance but are there particular times of the year when monarchs lay eggs or is it year-round?
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Karen
10/11/2019 09:51:02 am
I have a crown flower plant and usually have a lot of monarch activity in my yard here in Kailua for the past 10 or more years. We were gone most of the summer and I have not seen a single monarch since we got back over 3 weeks ago. Has anyone else experienced this?
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Niki
2/11/2020 02:06:26 pm
Yes. The ants, lizards, and one type of bird discover the butterflies are laying eggs and begin eating all of the eggs and baby cats. That's why I move them into a butterfly cage the moment I spot them so they don't get eaten.
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Michelle
2/10/2020 10:09:25 am
I am on Oahu and the cats have eaten all the crown flower leaves. Is there anywhere I can transplant them? I would say there are at least 50
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Laverne
2/11/2020 08:01:38 pm
Hi Michelle.. is it possible to look around in your neighborhood or an elementary school that may have the crown plant? Thanks for caring for them 😊
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Laverne
2/11/2020 08:00:04 pm
Hi Michelle... could you look for neighbors yards for the crown plants? A lot of elementary schools also have them in their property. Good luck finding food for them and thanks for caring 😊
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Penny
4/22/2020 04:02:42 pm
Something is attacking my monarch cocoons, laying an egg inside and a larva appears. Is this some sort of wasp and how do I prevent these attacks?
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Renee
7/24/2021 09:21:28 am
It's the tachinid fly, which was intentionally introduce to Hawaii to get rid of the monarch caterpillars who were causing damage to crownflower plants (flowers were used to make leis). The fly lays eggs on the caterpillar then emerges just after the caterpillar forms a chrysalis. This a huge problem and heartbreak for those of us raising monarchs! I've had recent success hanging Rescue Fly Trap (bag with liquid) around my yard. Because this is a bag flytrap, only flies can get in. Never, never use the yellow sticky trap because it will attract butterflies.
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Angel
5/4/2020 12:50:52 am
Has anyone managed to track down a good source of milkweed plants on the Big Island? Does anyone know if there is any conflict of interest with regard to planting them? Are they considered invasive? Are the monarchs welcome here in Hawaii, and the plants they feed on? I am keen to help their population, but just want to be sure there is no problem with encouraging them and their host plants. Mahalo for everyone's input.
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Renee
6/18/2020 09:37:23 pm
Aloha, Angel. Crown flower is a popular plant in the islands. It's the only plant monarchs will lay eggs on and caterpillars will eat. Google Calotropis gigantea to see what it looks like then drive around your neighborhood and ask for a cutting. Stick in water until roots show, then plant. Most locals use the crown flower to make leis.
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Michelle
1/29/2021 08:55:49 pm
Lots of evidence that they do lay eggs on tropical milkweed you can buy at stores. Just as successful at crown flower in Hawaii.
Michelle
1/29/2021 08:54:43 pm
Home Depot had lots of tropical milkweed plants several times in summer and fall 2020. Look for orange/yellow flowers. They grow just fine here and my first tropical milkweed had 15 cats within a few weeks of me planting it in my yard. Had to make a quick run back to home depot and get a bunch more tropical milkweed just to feed them all.
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Mark
11/21/2021 12:40:30 pm
We a sanctuary for Monarchs on the Big Kona side, we will help you in any way we can
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Renee
6/18/2020 09:18:31 pm
It's bulbul nesting time so all my released butterflies are being eaten! I have a butterfly garden with zinnias, cosmos and mexican sunflower. Poor new butterflies enjoying a meal then whoosh incoming bulbul -- dinner for bulbul keikis. I am so sad. Thinking of buying a bb gun, but I might hit my neighbors' windows.
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Elizabeth Weintraub
5/17/2021 05:13:20 pm
If you’re looking for Crown Flowers on the Big Island, I know of two places. In Hilo, you will find them in the main parking lot to the lobby at the Naniloa. In Kona, they are on the South side of Macy’s, behind the movie theater, and over by Kmart. And in about six months I’ll have a ton of them in my yard. I live on the Kona side.
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Lia Strell
10/11/2021 09:38:08 am
I am looking for cuttings of Crown flowers. If you have some cuttings I will trade for some avocados that keep falling from my ancient Tree. I am living here near Kona for 3 months. Today is October 11, 21
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10/11/2021 11:26:26 am
If you are on Facebook check out a group called monarch butterfly friends hawaii..post your needs with them they have members in Kona.Also check local nurseries besides home depot etc,you can always leave your name with them.Home depot Hilo just had tropical milkweed in so Kona side might have.Also garden exchange Hilo just had crown flowers.My crowns are still too small for cuttings.
Chris Butcher
8/3/2021 02:01:10 pm
Lots of great information from Big Island residents.. thank you
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Jeff H Bowen
11/3/2022 08:54:38 pm
Wer have about 15 larva getting big and will be running out of hawaii milkweed.,
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Del Ching
11/3/2022 09:25:04 pm
What are do you live in? I know of several huge trees that I pick leaves from when cats eat all the leaves from our plants.
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