Monarch Migration

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The annual migration of monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippusis) has begun. It has to be an amazing adventure if you are the butterfly, or spectacular site if you are a person able to observe the migration in progress.

 

The monarch is the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration.

 

Monarch Butterfly
Monarch Butterfly, Photo Credit: Jackie Riley, Lucas County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unlike other butterflies that can overwinter as larvae, pupae, or even as adults in some species, monarchs cannot survive the cold winters of northern climates. The monarch butterfly uses environmental cues to know when it is time to travel south for the winter. They use a combination of air currents and thermals to travel long distances both in the spring and fall. Some fly as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter home!

 

 

Monarch Butterflies
Monarch Migration, Photo Credit: Jackie Riley, Lucas County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earlier today, Jackie Riley from Lucas County, Ohio captured the images used in this BYGL Alert at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in NW Ohio.

 

Monarch Butterflies
Monarch Migration, Photo Credit: Jackie Riley, Lucas County

 

Monarch Butterflies
Monarch Migration, Photo Credit: Jackie Riley, Lucas County

 

Monarch Butterflies
Monarch Migration, Photo Credit: Jackie Riley, Lucas County