Monarchs' Migration Mystery: Mexico's Magical Attraction

how and why do the monarchs travel to mexico

The monarch butterfly migration to Mexico is a natural wonder and the greatest of all insect migrations. Every autumn, millions of monarchs travel from their summer breeding grounds in the Rocky Mountains in the USA and southern Canada to Mexico, where they overwinter in the Oyamel fir forests in the states of Michoacán and Estado de Mexico, not far from Mexico City.

The monarchs cannot survive the cold winters of northern climates, so they migrate south to Mexico for the winter, travelling up to 3,000 miles to reach their winter home. They use environmental cues to know when it is time to travel, and a combination of air currents and thermals to travel such long distances.

The monarch migration is a mystery, as the butterflies always return to the same small groves of trees where their ancestors overwintered, despite never having been there themselves. Researchers are still investigating what directional aids the monarchs use, but it appears to be a combination of the magnetic pull of the Earth and the position of the sun, among other factors.

Characteristics Values
Migration period August to November
Migration distance 2,800-3,000 miles
Migration speed 50-100 miles a day
Migration generation "Methuselah" generation
Migration purpose To overwinter
Migration direction South
Migration starting point Canada and the USA
Migration end point Central Mexico
Migration route Eastern monarchs: through Texas; Western monarchs: across the Central Valley
Migration duration 3-4 months
Migration return March
Migration causes Freezing winters in North America; mating and reproduction
Migration obstacles Deforestation, pollution, and trash in the reserve
Migration tracking Tagging, milkweed tracing, and community science

quartzmountain

The monarchs' journey is the longest insect migration, covering 2,800-3,000 miles

The monarch butterfly's journey is the longest insect migration, with the insects travelling up to 2,800–3,000 miles from their summer breeding grounds in the northeastern US and Canada to their overwintering grounds in Mexico. The monarchs travel in the fall, when the days get shorter and temperatures drop, abandoning their breeding and feeding territories in search of a safe place to spend the winter.

The eastern population of North American monarchs travel up to 3,000 miles to central Mexico, while the western population make a shorter migration of 2,500 miles to the California coast. The eastern monarchs travel through Texas, where their flight pattern takes on a cone shape, before sweeping up into the mountain ranges of central Mexico. The western monarchs migrate to specific overwintering groves along the California coast, such as in Mendocino County and San Diego County.

The monarchs travel at elevations of 800 to 1,200 feet, gliding on air currents and thermals to move quickly and conserve energy. They can travel up to 100 miles in a single day, and the entire journey can take up to two months to complete. The longest recorded distance travelled by a monarch butterfly in one day is 265 miles.

The monarchs' overwintering grounds in Mexico are located in the Transvolcanic mountains, in the states of Mexico and Michoacan. Here, the monarchs roost in oyamel fir forests at elevations of 2,400 to 3,600 meters (nearly 2 miles) above sea level. The mountain hillsides provide an ideal microclimate for the butterflies, with temperatures ranging from 0 to 15 degrees Celsius. The humidity in the oyamel forest also ensures the monarchs don't dry out, allowing them to conserve their energy.

The monarchs cluster together in large groups on the trees, with tens of thousands of butterflies covering whole tree trunks and branches. The trees provide shelter from the wind, snow, rain, and hail, and the cool temperatures help the monarchs conserve energy.

quartzmountain

They migrate to Mexico because they cannot survive the cold winters in North America

The monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico because they cannot survive the cold winters in North America. They travel from their summer breeding grounds in the Rocky Mountains in the USA and southern Canada to Mexico, where they spend the winter months.

Monarch butterflies are unique in that they are the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration, and they are the only butterfly that overwinters as adults. They cannot survive the winter as larvae, pupae, or adults in the northern climates.

The monarchs travel as far as 2,800-3,000 miles to Mexico, where they seek out specific microclimates that provide the ideal conditions for them to survive the winter. They require temperatures above freezing, humidity to prevent them from drying out, and shelter from harsh weather. They also need access to water and nectar from flowers.

The eastern population of North American monarchs overwinters in the same 11 to 12 mountain areas in the Mexican states of Mexico and Michoacan, roosting in oyamel fir forests at elevations of 2,400 to 3,600 meters (nearly 2 miles) above sea level. The western population overwinters along the California coast, with a small number of sites in Baja California and Arizona.

The monarchs cluster together on tree trunks and branches to stay warm during the winter. They remain in Mexico from October/November to late March/April before beginning their journey back north to Canada and the USA.

quartzmountain

They overwinter in the same 11-12 mountainous areas in Mexico, where the microclimate allows them to conserve energy

The eastern population of North America's monarchs overwinters in the same 11 to 12 mountainous areas in the Mexican states of Mexico and Michoacan. These overwintering sites are about 2,400 to 3,600 meters (nearly 2 miles) above sea level and are located on steep, southwest-facing slopes. The mountain hillsides of the oyamel forest provide an ideal microclimate for the butterflies. Here, the temperatures range from 0 to 15 degrees Celsius. The humidity in the forest ensures the monarchs don't dry out, allowing them to conserve their energy. The butterflies require a cool place to roost so that they don't use up their energy reserves too quickly. The monarchs arrive at these overwintering sites in early November and stay until late March.

The microclimate in the mountainous regions of Mexico plays a crucial role in the survival of the monarch butterflies during the winter months. The cool temperatures and humidity levels in the oyamel fir forests help the monarchs conserve energy and protect themselves from the extreme cold. By clustering together on tree trunks and branches, they can stay warm and preserve their fat reserves. The Mexican government has recognised the importance of these habitats and has taken steps to protect and preserve them, including establishing the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in 1986, which was later named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

The migration of monarch butterflies to Mexico is a fascinating natural phenomenon that has captivated scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. Despite the long and arduous journey, the monarchs return to the same overwintering sites year after year, guided by a combination of environmental cues and instincts. The microclimate in the mountainous regions of Mexico provides the ideal conditions for the monarchs to survive the winter and prepare for their journey back north in the spring.

quartzmountain

They migrate using environmental cues, air currents, and thermals

The monarch butterfly migration to Mexico is a unique and amazing phenomenon. The monarchs travel to Mexico because they cannot survive the cold winters of northern climates. They migrate using environmental cues, air currents, and thermals.

Monarch butterflies are the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration as birds do. They travel from their summer breeding grounds in the Rocky Mountains in the USA and southern Canada to Mexico for the winter. This is a journey of up to 3,000 miles.

The eastern population of North American monarchs overwinters in the same 11 to 12 mountain areas in the Mexican states of Mexico and Michoacan from October to late March. They fly into protected areas of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, which was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008.

The western population overwinters on the California coast, with a small number of sites in Baja California and Arizona.

The monarchs use environmental cues to know when it is time to travel. They rely on their instincts rather than learning from their parents, as only about every fourth to fifth generation of North American monarchs migrates. They use a combination of air currents and thermals to travel long distances. They travel between 50-100 miles a day, and the farthest-ranging monarch butterfly recorded travelled 265 miles in one day.

The mystery of how the monarchs navigate to a place they have never been remains unsolved. Scientists have suggested that they use a sun compass, a magnetic compass, or a combination of the two. They may also use landmarks such as mountain ranges to guide them.

The monarchs require specific conditions for their overwintering sites, including trees to cluster on, cool temperatures, water, and shelter from harsh weather. They are very particular about their mating conditions, needing clear streams, warm weather, and silence.

quartzmountain

The Mexican government has set up sanctuaries to protect the butterflies' habitats

There are four official sanctuaries within the biosphere reserve, with three in Michoacán and three in Estado de México. The sanctuaries in Michoacán are El Rosario, Sierra Chincua Reserve, and Cerro Pelón, and the sanctuaries in Estado de México are Piedra Herrada, El Capulín, and La Mesa. These sanctuaries were set up to protect and preserve the habitats of the monarch butterflies and prevent further loss of their habitat.

The Mexican government's efforts to protect the monarch butterflies also extend beyond the sanctuaries. For example, there are signs on roads reminding drivers to watch out for the butterflies to prevent them from being crushed. Additionally, local communities have legends and beliefs about the butterflies, considering them sacred animals, which likely contributes to a broader cultural awareness and respect for their protection.

Frequently asked questions

The monarchs travel to Mexico because they cannot survive the cold winters of central and eastern North America. They migrate to Mexico to mate, as the region has all the elements they need to reproduce.

The monarchs use environmental cues to know when it is time to travel south for the winter. They use a combination of air currents, thermals, and possibly the magnetic pull of the earth and the position of the sun to navigate.

The monarchs travel up to 3,000 miles from their summer breeding grounds in the Rocky Mountains in the USA/southern Canada to Mexico.

The monarchs travel to Mexico every autumn, starting their long flight in August and arriving in early November. They stay in Mexico until March when they begin their journey back north.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment