Danaus plexippus (Monarch Butterfly) | Natural Heritage New Mexico

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Nymphalidae

Genus: Danaus

Species: plexippus

Monarch Butterfly - Danaus plexippus

352585

Species Extent (New Mexico)

A large orange butterfly that flies with its wings held in a 'V' shape.

Global Rank: G4

State Rank: S3

Rank Metadata
State Rank: S3	Rank Changed: 06/09/2025
Rank Reviewed: 07/31/1996
Reason: The iconic Monarch Butterfly is widespread in New Mexico being found in every county which gives it a high Extent of Occurrence and Area of Occupancy however, the species is also extremely threatened by a laundry list of threats. Furthermore, the species is thought to be experience widespread severe declines with some estimates that the Monarch has declined by as much as 99% in the United States. However, New Mexico does not have its own population data to corroborate this trend here. As a result, the species is currently assessed as S3 in New Mexico. However, a reassessment should be done if more information becomes available.

Ecological Factors
Specificity: Moderate. Generalist or community with some key requirements scarce.	Range Extent: 200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Occurences: 81 - 300	Population Size: Unknown
Area of Occupancy: An Area of Occupancy of 369km2 was calculated using the NatureServe RARECAT tool with points from GBIF.org clipped to New Mexico.	Threat Summary: N/A

State Status:

USFS Status:

BLM Status: BLM SENSITIVE

SWAP Status: SGCN

NMRP Strategy Status:

Number of Subpopulations: 57

Number of Mapped Locations: 85

Number of Observations: 54

Observation date range: 07-01-1913 to 01-01-2021

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