Monarch butterflies are large, colorful insects known for their striking orange and black wings. They are found primarily in North America and are famous for their long migrations, traveling thousands of miles from their breeding grounds in the United States and Canada to wintering sites in Mexico. These butterflies play a crucial role in ecosystems as pollinators, helping to fertilize plants. Monarchs primarily feed on nectar from flowers and lay their eggs on milkweed plants, which are essential for the survival of their caterpillars. Their life cycle includes four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult butterfly.