Danaid

/ˈdænə.ɪd/ noun

Definition

A butterfly of the family Danaidae, which includes the monarch butterfly and milkweed butterflies.

Etymology

From the genus name 'Danaus', which itself comes from the mythological Danaans. The scientific naming convention honored classical tradition by naming these butterflies after ancient Greek peoples and heroes.

Kelly Says

Monarch butterflies (danaids) perform one of nature's most astonishing feats—a multi-generational migration spanning thousands of miles where each butterfly only completes part of the journey, yet somehow the population 'remembers' where to go despite no individual living long enough to complete the round trip!

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