Nearing Northern Limits
June 1, 2017 by Elizabeth Howard
  Traveling in pursuit of milkweed, monarchs are nearing milkweed's northern limits.  
  Monarch Butterfly

 
Almost There...
For 3 months, monarchs have been traveling in pursuit of milkweed. This map shows how far north milkweed grows — and the northern extent of migration.

  • In the central region, the northernmost monarch in McGregor, MN is about 200 miles from milkweed's northern limit in southern Manitoba.
  • In the east, monarchs will travel another 350 miles into Canada's Maritime provinces and Quebec.

Generation Two
Females are laying eggs of the 2nd generation now. These monarchs will be the grandchildren of butterflies that overwintered in Mexico.

Counting Generations
Monarch generations are continuing to cycle. It takes about one month for each to develop. Over the summer, three generations will be produced in the north.

June: grandchildren

July: great-grandchildren

August: great-great-grandchildren—the generation that migrates to Mexico.

Report Your First
No matter when you see your first monarch, we want to know about it. Your sighting is important even if other people have already reported from your region.

Monarch Butterfly Annual Cycle in your region
Nearing Northern Limit
Xerces Society
 
Monarch Butterfly Egg
Grandchildren Coming
Jim Ellis
 

Monarch Butterfly Egg Taken by Ant

Monarchs in June
Evaluation: Share your thoughts!
Please take a few minutes to complete our Annual Evaluation. With your help, we can document Journey North's reach, impact and value. Thank you!

Journey North Evaluation
Spring Migration 2017
 
Report all monarchs you see — adults, eggs, larvae.
Monarch butterfly migration map Monarch butterfly migration map Monarch butterfly migration map
What to Report Adults
report | map | list
Eggs
report | map | list
Monarch butterfly migration map Map of milkweed emergence: Spring 2017 Monarch butterfly migration map
Larvae
report | map | list
Milkweed
report | map | list
Other Observations
report | map | list
     
 
 

Next June 8, 2017