Plain English The world’s biggest butterfly migration
Dec 8, 2025
Discover the incredible journey of monarch butterflies as they migrate thousands of kilometers from North America to central Mexico. Learn how these beautiful insects navigate using the sun and Earth's magnetic field. Explore their unique life cycle, including a fascinating multi-generational migration where no single butterfly makes the round trip. Delve into the dangers they face due to climate change and habitat loss, and understand their essential role in the ecosystem as pollinators.
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Massive Migration Into Tiny Wintering Sites
- Monarchs migrate from across North America to just a few high-altitude fir forests in central Mexico each winter.
- This concentrated wintering makes their survival vulnerable to localized habitat threats and climate shifts.
Support Monarchs By Restoring Milkweed
- Plant milkweed in gardens and fields because monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on it.
- Restoring milkweed habitat supports breeding and helps counter population declines.
Two Navigation Systems Power The Journey
- Monarchs navigate using an internal sun compass and the Earth's magnetic field as a backup when it's cloudy.
- These dual systems enable precise long-distance navigation despite their tiny size.