NPZNG1987 - Monarch Butterflies

Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) 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. The insects must begin this journey each fall ahead of cold weather, which will kill them if they tarry too long.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.