Oyamel firs are evergreen conifer trees with dark and rough bark. They are native to the central and southern mountains of Mexico and Guatemala. Oyamel firs are located 2,500 and 4,000 meters above sea level.

Green Milkweed is a vascular plant, their flowers have a lavender-pink color and are well known as the must-have plant for attracting monarchs and conserving their species. It is also the only food source for the caterpillars and the only place the female monarchs lay their eggs.

The American Goldfinch is a small North American bird, noticeable by its small head and long wings. They live in weedy fields, wetlands such as floodplains and cultivated lands such as orchards and gardens.

This parasite has been found at varying levels in all monarch populations around the world. It is known to have  been around for about as long as the monarch has. It is speculated that this organism co-evolved with the monarchs and their relatives, due to this parasite being perfectly adapted to living on these butterflies.

Oleander aphid is bright yellow with black legs and little horns on its butt called cornicles. They feed by puncturing a plants stem and leaves and sucking out the "juices". 

While these guys feast on the phloem of plants, they're secreting a sweet substance that ants come and drink up from their butts, as well as many other insects and birds! The act is known as "milking".

This spider is a species of color-changing flower spiders. They range from the color yellow to pale green to white. They are mostly seen outside when pollinators are out and its sunny. They do no spin webs, but instead use silk to capture their prey. 

The Eastern Gray squirrel are bushy tailed rodents with a mix of brown, black and white fur, which from a distance it gives a gray appearance. They are mammals and can be found throughout eastern states. They are generally found in mixed hardwood forests where they use old woodpecker holes or natural cavities as homes.

Zinnia belongs to the daisy family and is one of the most colorful flowers you could have in your garden! This flower attracts a plethora of butterflies including the monarch, these are another important plant in the monarchs pollinating process.

The Cardinal is the state bird of about seven eastern states. There are large populations of this bird in the Southeast, although it  has been extending its range north for decades. It is now found as far north as southeastern Canada. It's diet is made up of seeds, insects and berries. 

Yes, the monarch and its caterpillars are part of the insect portion.