Classification~
Why Do Scientists Classify Animals?
Scientists wanted to group animals and plants into groups because it enables the organization of organisms into the Kingdoms, This lets them see the information about the organism and the relationships between the animals. Another reason for organizing the animals and plants is so scientists can communicate information about the organism and study them to understand their characteristics, behavior, diet, etc. This helps us keep up with the different types of animals. For example, some animals have pouches to carry their young in. These animals are called marsupials. Some marsupials have four legs and some have two legs. They would be in the same Genus, but not the same Species.
Scientific Classification of Monarch Butterflies
Like other animals, the monarch butterfly belong in the Animalia Kingdom. They are cattergorized in the Arthropoda Phylum. The Arthropoda Phylum characteristics include having a segmented body and having the tagmata, the three basic parts of an insect which includes the head, thorax and abdomen. Monarch butterflies belong in the Insecta Class. This Class includes all insects. Their Order is Lepidoptera. Lepidoptera includes moths and butterflies. They are organized in the Nymphalidae Family. The Nymphaledae Family contains all the butterflies, not including the moths. Their Genus is called Danaus. This Genus of butterflies includes the tiger butterfly tribe. The monarch butterfly are in the D. Plexippus Species. The scientific name for monarch butterflies is Danaus Plexippus, but most people called them monarch butterflies. The scientific name comes from Greek literally which means "sleepy transformation." Here is a picture below, showing you all of the scientific classifications of the monarch butterfly.
Monarch Butterflies As State Insects
Monarch butterflies are known to be several state insects. These states include Alabama, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, Texas, Vermont and West Virginia. Of course, you can find them in these states as well as others also.