The Mighty Monarch Butterfly

Together we can help save them.

Monarch butterflies are one of the most amazing creatures in our world. These tiny creatures migrate around 3,000 miles every fall to overwinter in Mexico!

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The monarchs who overwinter in Mexico live for about 8 months. Once spring arrives, they begin their journey north, lay their eggs and then die. Their offspring continue to travel north, laying eggs along the way. The generations who do not overwinter in Mexico live around four weeks. Then last generation of the summer fly to Mexico and travel to the exact same forest that their ancestors overwintered at generations before them.

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Monarchs have four life stages. They are in an egg for about 3-5 days. Their first meal when they hatch is usually the shell of their egg. Then they begin eating milkweed. As caterpillars, they grow almost 2000% of their original size! As they grow, they shed their skin five times. Their fifth molt, typically 10-14 days from when they hatched, reveals their chrysalis. The monarch stays in this stage for about 10-14 days until the adult butterfly ecloses and flies away.

Monarch caterpillars can only eat milkweed, so ensuring there are plenty of plants available across their migratory path is essential to the survival of this species. By planting milkweed in your yard and encouraging neighbors to do the same, you can help save these incredible butterflies. 

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For more information, please visit:

https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Invertebrates/Monarch-Butterfly

https://www.monarchwatch.org/waystations/

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/monarch-butterfly

https://xerces.org/monarchs/

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