Monarchs live for only 2-6 weeks during the breeding season. All energy is focused on reproduction. Females search for milkweed to lay the 400-600 eggs they can produce in a lifetime. Males patrol milkweed in search of females for mating.
Four Generations
Monarchs can produce a new generation in about 30 days, resulting in four generations during the typical breeding season. The population grows with each new generation so monarchs become increasingly noticeable as the summer wears on.
The Migratory Generation
This fall, the monarchs that migrate to Mexico will be 4th generation butterflies, the great-great-grandchildren of those that left Mexico last spring. Monarchs born after mid-August will likely be part of the migratory generation. Get ready to watch for signs that the monarchs are on their way to Mexico again. |
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Monarch Egg |
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Summer Tracking
Report monarch eggs, larvae, and adults this summer, and tell us how many you see. |
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