Canadian wildlife · Drawing 25 of 41
Monarch
From grasslands to mountains
The monarch visits flowers to drink nectar. Its orange-and-black wings have white spots. Before becoming a butterfly, it was a caterpillar.
Did you know?
In the fall, many monarchs from Canada fly all the way to Mexico!
Look together
Which patterns can you find on both sides?
An idea to try
Draw a butterfly, then repeat the same large patterns on both sides.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
Scientific name: Danaus plexippus. Where it lives: Flowering habitats across many parts of southern Canada. What it eats: Nectar as a butterfly; milkweed as a caterpillar. Milkweed is essential for the caterpillars to grow. Adult butterflies also drink nectar from other flowers, so their needs change during their lives.
Sources and illustration notes (2)
Simplified drawing for colouring. Coat, feather or skin markings are left white so children can choose their colours. Proportions and details are not a scientific identification plate.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada — Monarch butterflyMilkweed dependence, life stages, Canadian range and migration to Mexico.
- Parks Canada — Monarch butterfly, KejimkujikAppearance, caterpillars and metamorphosis.
Page prepared on September 30, 2026. Illustrations are simplified for colouring.
This drawing is from the book Canadian Wildlife to Colour
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