Monarch butterflies are known for the incredible mass migration that brings millions of them to California and Mexico each winter. North American monarchs are the only butterflies that make such a massive journey—up to 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers). The insects must begin this journey each fall ahead of cold weather, which will kill them if they take too long. Monarch butterflies begin life as eggs and hatch as larvae that eat their eggshells and, subsequently, the milkweed plants on which they were placed. (Monarchs are dependent on milkweed plants, which larvae eat nearly exclusively.) Fattening larvae become colorful caterpillars, then create a hard protective case around themselves as they enter the pupa stage. They emerge as beautifully colored, black-orange-and-white adults. The colorful pattern makes monarchs easy to identify. The distinctive pattern warns predators that the insects are foul tasting and poisonous. Butterflies that emerge from the pupa state in late summer and early fall are different from those that do so during the longer days and warmer weather of summer. These monarchs are born to fly, and know because of the changing weather that they must prepare for their lengthy journey. Only monarchs born in late summer or early fall make the migration, and they make only one round trip. By the time next year's winter migration begins, several summer generations will have lived and died and it will be last year's migrators' great grandchildren that make the trip. Yet somehow these new generations know the way, and follow the same routes their ancestors took—sometimes even returning to the same tree. The Monarch Butterfly Conservation Status:The North American migration is recognized by the IUCN to be an endangered biological phenomenon, mainly due to the variety of threats the butterflies are facing at the winter sites. These threats include: logging and clearance for agriculture in Mexico and coastal land development in California. In addition, outside the wintering sites monarch butterflies are further affected by the use of pesticides, habitat loss, the loss of milkweed populations, parasites, and climate change. In order to protect migratory populations of the monarch butterfly at the wintering grounds in Mexico the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve was established in 1986. This World Heritage property includes more than half of the overwintering colonies of the monarch butterfly’s eastern population. The Commission for Environmental Cooperation created, in 2008, The North American Monarch Conservation Plan, which details a strategy for conserving and maintaining the Monarch butterfly population through international cooperation between Canada, The United States and Mexico. The plan’s goals include: decrease or elimination of deforestation at the wintering grounds; addressing habitat loss and fragmentation along the migratory route and at the breeding grounds; public education about the threats faced by this species; and increased monitoring during migrations. Various governmental and non-governmental organizations are currently working to achieve these goals. Their work will help to ensure that this spectacular butterfly is preserved and that its extraordinary migratory journey will be witnessed by future generations. Further reading and educational resources:Monarch butterflies are the most beautiful of all butterflies, some say, and are considered the “king” of the butterflies, hence the name “monarch” Learn about monarch butterfly biology, life cycle and more: http://www.monarchlab.org/mitc/ http://www.eirc.org/website/programs-services/global-connection/monarch-teacher-network/ Learn more about monarch butterfly conservation effort:
• The Xerces Society - California monarchs: www.xerces.org/california-monarchs • CEC North American Monarch Conservation Plan: http://www.cec.org/Page.asp?PageID=30107&SiteNodeID=484&BL_ExpandID www.cec.org/pubs_docs/documents/index.cfm?varlan=english&ID=2300 • WWF - Monarch Butterflies: www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/monarchbutterflies/monarchbutterflies.html • The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Foundation: www.learner.org/jnorth/sm/aboutmbsf.html For information how to get involved: Join our nature walk to view the Monarch Butterfly migration - Read more in our Upcoming Events. Plant your own butterfly garden - Read more instructions here: www.flightofthebutterflies.com/get-involved/
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