Posted in West Virginia
September 11, 2020
A Butterfly Migration Super Highway Could Bring Millions Of Monarchs Through West Virginia This Fall
Fall is such a welcome change of pace, in many ways, from the high heat of summer. We love the cooler mornings. We love the promise of more to come in the first few yellow leaves. And we love the Monarch butterflies.
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Monarchs start as medium-sized striped caterpillars, with their colors already hinting at the flaming orange and black beauties they will become.


Here they are in Mexico, having completed their journey and reached a safe winter haven.

West Virginia lies right along a migratory path leading the butterflies from the northern Atlantic states down toward the border with Mexico.

A resident of Morgantown, for example, spotted a cluster of 13 relaxing on Blazing Star and Mexican Sunflower plants as recently as last week!

They're a beautiful testament to the changing of the season and a reminder that much of life continues on as it always has, season upon season, for centuries.
Do you track the monarchs each fall? Do you ever see any passing through your yard?
To keep track of monarch sightings and learn more about their migration routes, you might enjoy perusing the information provided by Journey North here. You can even report your own observations to help your neighbors across the country keep an eye on their progress!
Address: West Virginia, USA