Monarchs

Monarch ButterfliesMonarch ButterfliesPowerPoint Quick GuidePowerPoint Quick Guide

Dr. John McCulloughDr. John McCullough

Monarch ButterfliesMonarch Butterflies

Life CycleLife Cycle

Migration Migration

ResourcesResourcesThe End

Monarch Butterflies Life Cycle

EggEgg

Monarch Butterflies Life Cycle

CaterpillarCaterpillar

Monarch Butterflies Life Cycle

ChrysalisChrysalis

Monarch Butterflies Life Cycle

ButterflyButterfly

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Monarch Butterflies Resources

Web Sites Australian Museum fact sheet on

monarch butterflies Critters of Calamvale Creek Monarch Migration Maps Monarch Watch of the University of

Kansas Entomology Department Michoacan Reforestation Fund

Monarch Butterflies Resources

Web Sites - continued USGS description of monarch butterfly MonarchHealth! More than Monarchs Monarch Egg Eclosion Monarch Butterfly USA

Monarch Butterflies Resources

Photo Albums Monarch butterfly life cycle photographs

Videos Video of a monarch butterfly emerging from

chrysalis My Video of our monarch butterflies

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Monarch Butterflies Migration

Mexico

Diapause

TransatlanticReturn

Monarch Butterflies MigrationMexico

Monarchs are especially noted for their lengthy annual migration. In North America they make massive southward migrations starting in August until the first frost.

A northward migration takes place in the spring. Female monarchs deposit eggs for the next generation during these migrations.

By the end of October, the population east of the Rocky Mountains migrates to the sanctuaries of the Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve in the Mexican states of Michoacán and México.

The western population overwinters in various sites in central coastal and southern California, United States, notably in Pacific Grove and Santa Cruz.

~ Wikipedia

Monarch Butterflies MigrationDiapause

The length of these journeys exceeds the normal lifespan of most monarchs, which is less than two months for butterflies born in early summer.

The last generation of the summer enters into a non-reproductive phase known as diapause and may live seven months or more.

During diapause, butterflies fly to one of many overwintering sites.

The generation that overwinters generally does not reproduce until it leaves the overwintering site sometime in February and March.

~ Wikipedia

Monarch Butterflies MigrationTransatlantic

Monarch butterflies are one of the few insects capable of making transatlantic crossings.

They are becoming more common in Bermuda due to increased usage of milkweed as an ornamental plant in flower gardens.

Monarch butterflies born in Bermuda remain year round due to the island's mild climate.

~ Wikipedia