Millions Of Monarch Butterflies Are Headed Straight For Wisconsin This Spring
The migration of the monarch butterfly is one of the most unique in the world. As one of the only insects that can’t withstand winter in a temperate climate, when fall hits, monarchs west of the Rockies head to the California coast. Monarchs east of the Rockies head to the forests in the Mexican mountains. These small, beautiful insects travel up to 2,500 miles twice a year. Recent sightings in the southern part of the US mean the migration north has begun and a large number of the monarchs will pass through or stay in Wisconsin. You can keep track of the path of the migration using this amazing and frequently-updated map.
Down south, the migration of the monarchs numbers in the hundreds of millions as they head up from Mexico. This year's number is 150% higher than last year's, something scientists are quite excited about. We won't see quite so many monarchs here as the northern migration spreads out across the center of the country, but we still should see plenty.
The monarchs are fascinating because they travel so very far and oftentimes go back to the very same tree they wintered in the last time they migrated. The migration is studied closely, but is difficult to predict. We should start seeing the majestic insects as the calendar turns to May.
The butterflies make this migration en masse, like you'd expect from whales or birds. But unlike birds and whales, individuals only make the round trip once. It is their children's grandchildren that return south the following fall.
Forests and trees that are razed for development threaten the future of the monarch. If they're used to returning to a spot and that spot disappears, what will they do? They move south to survive the winter, but their wintering location doesn't have the food that the eggs and larvae need to grow.
Conservation efforts are underway to help protect this fascinating and beautiful creature that takes a journey unlike any other insect. Make sure you keep an eye out for these unique insects and help make your yard a place they want to be this spring and summer. As the migration moves, you just might find yourself with a yard full of monarchs.
