Migration Update: March 6, 2008
Please Report
Your Sightings! >>

Today's Report Includes:

Why males? >>

News: The Journey North is About to Begin!

It's March! At the monarch colonies in Mexico, the days are getting longer, the air is getting drier, and the temperatures are getting warmer. It's almost time to go!

"Within the month—a relatively short time—the butterflies will vacate their winter haunt and begin the recolonization of North America. An ambitious project, to be certain," says Dr. Bill Calvert.

Meanwhile in Texas, early milkweeds are emerging. Mr. and Mrs. Aschen went on safari near San Antonio and found milkweed up all over their pasture. "This is about as early as we have ever found it in this quantity and plants this mature," they report.

  • Get ready to track the spring migration. The first monarchs from Mexico should be reported any day! >>
  • Also read this week's final report from the winter sanctuaries in Mexico by Susan Meyers and Kim Bailey >>

"When the monarchs are fully warmed up and are ever so slightly disturbed they literally 'explode' in all directions out into the sky." Photo and text courtesy of Mr. Don Davis

Early milkweed in Texas
See the Aschen's pictures! >>

Focus: How Did Milkweed Help Monarchs Survive Winter? >> 

The monarchs that are about to migrate north are survivors. They have survived all winter while eating little or nothing at all. They have survived because predators didn't eat them! Look for clues as you read the following two slideshows. Find out how the milkweed the monarchs ate when they were caterpillars last summer helped them survive the winter in Mexico.

No Food for Five Months? >>
Monarch butterflies arrive in Mexico in November and stay until March. Scientists say they can survive all winter with little or no food at all. Where do monarchs get the energy they need to survive?

Monarchs and Their Predators in Mexico >> Monarchs have some enemies at their winter home in Mexico. Who are they and how do monarchs avoid them?

Challenge Question #5: Milkweed and Winter Survival

This picture was taken in the late summer. The monarch caterpillar was eating milkweed. It was preparing to spend the winter in Mexico.

This Week's Question:

  • There are two important ways that eating milkweed in the summer (before fall migration) helps a monarch survive the winter in Mexico. What are they? Explain how milkweed and winter survival are related.

To Respond: Write in your journal and send us your answer for possible inclusion in next week's update.

Answer to last week's question

Challenge Question #4>>

Links: Monarch Butterfly Resources to Explore
  • Journey North for Kids: A student-directed entry point to Journey North >>
  • Observation Activity: Who Ate the Monarchs? Each Predator Leaves its Clues >>
  • Observation Activity: How Are These Monarchs Avoiding Predators? >>
  • Scientist Explains: Millions of Monarchs Eaten by Predators >>
  • Lesson: Get Ready for Spring Migration >>
  • Ongoing Lesson: Predicting the Route of the Monarch's Spring Migration >>
  • Orientation: About Our Live Maps >>
More Monarch Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on March 13, 2008.