Monarch Migration

Have you seen any monarch butterflies around recently? They’re all around our neighborhoods at this time of year.

It’s hard to believe, but these butterflies are preparing themselves to fly to Mexico. Just take a look at those flimsy little wings!

The butterflies find their way to a particular forest in Mexico. These individual butterflies have never been there before, but somehow they know the way.

They arrive around the end of October and the beginning of November. When they get there, they remind the local people of their deceased friends and relatives, and so they are welcomed.

They spend the winter suspended in trees, like this:

They are huddled together to keep warm. The humidity in the forest prevents them from drying out. One of the problems that the monarchs face is that people are cutting down the trees, so they have less place to land.

And, when the weather starts to get warmer, they will make the long flight back. Incredible!

Most caterpillars can only eat the leaves of a certain small number of plants. The Monarch caterpillars are even more specific. They are only able to digest the leaves of the milkweed plant.

This is what common milkweed looks like in June:

So, next time you see a monarch, you will realize you are witnessing a miracle. And wish her bon voyage.