Wildlife Wednesday: Migrating Monarchs
It is that time of year when many northbound AT thru-hikers are finishing up their 2,198.4-mile journey on Katahdin. As their treks end, however, another is beginning. Who might be starting a couple-thousand-mile journey south? Well, beyond those ambitious southbound thru-hikers, monarch butterflies have begun their migration to their overwintering sites in Mexico.
Those monarchs that will travel from the northeastern United States and Canada, must travel up to 3,000 miles before being able to settle down for the winter months. Before and during their journey, monarchs build up fat reserves by nectaring on plants such as the late-season flowers of goldenrods, bonesets, and meadowsweets.
Above from left to right: White meadowsweet (Spirea alba) (Photo credit: @lucysinclair), common boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) (photo credit: @hollyyoung), and showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) (photo credit: @chris_syrett)
Averaging anywhere from 50-100 miles in a day, these speedy travelers rely on nectar-rich habitats along the east coast to make their journey. And if that mileage is impressive to you, the longest recorded flight of a monarch in one day is 265 miles (a humble feat equaling roughly 1/9 of the Appalachian Tail).
After overwintering in the oyamel fir forests in Mexico, these intrepid travelers start the migration journey back north again in the spring. However, the brood (cohort) that flew from the Northeast only makes it a bit more north (around Texas) before reproducing and creating a new generation of travelers. By the time monarchs reach the Northeast again in the early summer, they are a few generations removed from their ancestors that made the journey southbound.
Above left to right: Monarch caterpillar (photo credit: Zoe McCormick), and monarch butterfly (photo credit: @vulture)
The monarch host plant as new generations arise is milkweed. Monarch caterpillars rely on milkweed for feeding, so encouraging planting local milkweed stands is an important part of supporting this annual journey for monarchs.
Resources:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/Monarch_Butterfly/migration/index.shtml
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/Monarch_Butterfly/habitat/index.shtml
For more information on nectar plants you could plant:
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