The Official Texas State Insect

Monarch

The Monarch butterfly is a species of insect native to North America and was officially declared the state insect of Texas in 1995. The Monarch is a large, brightly colored butterfly, with a wingspan of up to 4 inches. The upper side of the wings are a deep, vibrant orange, and the underside is white with black veins. This butterfly is easily distinguished by the pattern of two rows of white spots along the outer edges of its wings. The Monarch is an important pollinator and is a keystone species in many ecosystems.

The Monarch has a fascinating life cycle and migratory pattern. Every spring and summer, Monarchs migrate north from Mexico and the U.S. southern states, as far as Canada. In late summer, the Monarchs then migrate back to Mexico and the southern U.S. states to overwinter. This is an amazing feat, as the Monarch butterfly is known to travel thousands of miles each year during its migration.

The Monarch butterfly was named the official state insect of Texas in 1995. This was due to the efforts of a group of fourth-grade students from Austin, Texas, who lobbied the state legislature for the recognition. As a result of this success, the Monarch butterfly has become a symbol of Texas and an important part of the state’s culture.

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