Monarch Butterfly Migration | Journey North Citizen Science Project: Tracking Spring and Fall Monarch Butterfly Migration

Monarch Butterflies

Monarch Migration News: April 23, 2015
By Elizabeth Howard

Please Report
Your Sightings!

No longer their brilliant orange, the monarchs from Mexico are nearing the end of their travels. A new generation will continue the journey north.

Faded monarch on fresh flowers by Anita Brisco Texarkana, Arkansas April 19, 2015

News: Reaching the Limit

The migration's leading edge is approaching latitude 38°N. This generation rarely goes any farther. The monarchs that overwintered in Mexico have lived up to 8 months. Their lives are now coming to an end.

Concentrated in the South
Monarchs are so concentrated in the southern US that people can see multiple butterflies in a single day.

"Observed 13 adult monarchs in about an hour and a half near Columbus, Arkansas. Most were feeding on red clover, white clover or purple verbena. Some appeared to be males patrolling certain areas while others appeared to be females looking for milkweed. A very faded female must have been very hungry because she was still feeding about and hour after we first saw her." Anita Brisco, April 19, 2015

From Mexico to Minnesota?
A surprise sighting was reported from Minnesota on April 17th. But was the monarch from Mexico? Details in the image provided clues and sparked a lively discussion.

Watch for Fresh Wings
By mid-May, the first monarchs of the new generation are reported from the South. This year, they may be late due to the 2-week delayed arrival on the breeding grounds in Texas.

Monarch Butterfly Migration Sightings by State

Concentrated in South

Monarch Butterfly: Early Sighting in Minnesota

Mexico to Minnesota?

Fresh Wings

Conservation News

Small Step for Monarch, Giant Leap for Conservation
Conservationists from the US, Canada, and Mexico met at the Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation in San Diego. The goal: to find ways to help the nations work together to conserve North America’s wildlife and ecosystems — including monarchs.

How you can help Monarch Butterflies at Sanctuary in Mexico

Maps: Report Your Sightings


What to Report	First Adult report \| map \| list	Milkweed report \| map \| list

First Egg report \| map \| list	First Larvae report \| map \| list	Other Observations report \| map \| list

Journal and Activities
Journal: Was the Minnesota Monarch From Mexico?

Next Update April 30, 2015