The monarch (Danaus plexippus) is a common poisonous butterfly popularly found worldwide. Its wings feature an easily recognizable orange and black pattern, with a wingspan of 3 3/8 - 4 7/8 inches (8.6 - 12.4 cm). Female monarchs have darker veins on their wings, and the males have a spot called the androconium in the center of each hind wing. Males are also slightly larger than female monarchs. The monarch butterfly eats milkweed in its larval stage and lays eggs on the poisonous milkweed plant. The monarch butterfly is one of the best known of all North American butterflies.