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The Migration of Monarch Butterflies

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November 18, 2019

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The Migration of Monarch Butterflies is the world rarest phenomenon. The Mexican mountain where orange, black Monarch butterflies gather in countless numbers. They cover 10 ACRES after a 3,400-mile journey from the U.S. where they’ve earned a rest. The butterflies travel down from the United States and Canada to spend winters in the mountains west of Mexico City where they are counted by biologists. Unfortunately, the population of Monarch butterflies has been in serious decline in recent years.

But thanks to conservation efforts by the Canadian, Mexican and American governments. They are putting great efforts to increase the insects have been making a big comeback. The Monarch butterflies’ habit of congregating in thick clumps are counted by the surface area they cover instead of individually. The population has grown up since 2014 after a threatening drop as compare to the previous decade.

In the last winter, the population had increased in significant numbers covered 10 acres, as compared to 2.8 acres of 2014. The lowest population was recorded in 2013 when only 1.66 acres covered. Millions of butterflies congregate, clustering onto pine and oyamel trees, appear orange and branches sag from the weight. These butterflies over the time to make this journey, four generations of monarch butterflies are born and die migration patterns are altered by climate change.

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The nature lovers believed Mexico, United States, and Canada should enhance their conservation efforts to protect and restore the habitat of this butterfly along its migratory route. Moreover, in recent times, United States is working to reinstate milkweed, a plant important to the butterflies’ migration, on about 1,160 square miles within 5 years, both by planting and by designating pesticide-free areas.

In addition, it is also cracking down on illegal logging in the area the butterflies call home, as the trees are critical protection for the flimsy animals against the weather. During the Migration of Monarch Butterflies, they fly north once they are exposed to cooler temperatures. Therefore, dense congregations are supposed to conserve heat, however, if warmed by the sun, the butterflies take flight.

Moreover, the beating of their wings has been compared to the sound of light rain and the reserve is susceptible to lethal, freezing temperatures. The nature lovers truly love the Migration of Monarch Butterflies every year.

Also Read: Butterfly Classification How They’re Named

Source: Dailymail

This December, the butterflies covered 10 acres (about 4 hectares), compared to 2.8 acres (1.13 hectares) in 2014 and a record low of 1.66 acres (0.67 hectares) in 2013 — This December, the butterflies covered 10 acres (about 4 hectares), compared to 2.8 acres (1.13 hectares) in 2014 and a record low of 1.66 acres (0.67 hectares) in 2013

The number of monarchs making the 3,400-mile (5,500-kilometer) migration from the United States and Canada declined steadily in recent years before recovering in 2014 — The number of monarchs making the 3,400-mile (5,500-kilometer) migration from the United States and Canada declined steadily in recent years before recovering in 2014

Monarch butterflies feeding on milkweed, a plant key to the butterflies' migration — Monarch butterflies feeding on milkweed, a plant key to the butterflies’ migration

Monarch Butterflies mass along a dry stream bed in the Sierra Pellon mountain at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Sierra Pellon, Michoacan State — Monarch Butterflies mass along a dry stream bed in the Sierra Pellon mountain at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Sierra Pellon, Michoacan State

Monarch Butterflies mass along the path in the Sierra Pellon mountain at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve — Monarch Butterflies mass along the path in the Sierra Pellon mountain at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve

Monarch butterflies rest on pine trees in the Rosario Butterfly Reserve, Michoacan. The butterflies are counted by the surface area they cover — Monarch butterflies rest on pine trees in the Rosario Butterfly Reserve, Michoacan. The butterflies are counted by the surface area they cover

Monarch Butterflies take to the skies in the Sierra Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary, Angangueo, Mexico — Monarch Butterflies take to the skies in the Sierra Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary, Angangueo, Mexico

Colorful Monarch Butterflies migrate south for the winter from the USA and Canada and all three countries are working to conserve the animals — Colorful Monarch Butterflies migrate south for the winter from the USA and Canada and all three countries are working to conserve the animals

Clusters of Monarch butterflies on the pine tree. According to experts, Monarchs must reach a much larger population size to be resilient to ever-increasing threats — Clusters of Monarch butterflies on the pine tree. According to experts, Monarchs must reach a much larger population size to be resilient to ever-increasing threats

A tourist photographing Monarch butterflies, which have partly increased in number over the last couple of years thanks to more favorable weather conditions along the monarch's migratory routes — A tourist photographing Monarch butterflies, which have partly increased in number over the last couple of years thanks to more favorable weather conditions along the monarch’s migratory routes

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Originally posted 2016-06-29 22:45:50.

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