Monarch Butterfly-- Identifying the Male and Female
It's easy to tell the difference!
Ever wonder how to tell the difference between a male and female monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus? Look for the dot! Male monarch butterflies have a black dot on their hindwings, which is a patch of specialized scales. In some related butterfly species, these patches release pheromones to attract females. Research on the male monarch dots is ongoing to determine their exact function.
