Monarch Off the Map Can a Monarch Butterfly Cross the Atlantic Ocean? A few days after Hurricane Floyd, on September 22, 1999, a monarch butterfly was spotted in England! The monarch was seen near the tip of the Land's End peninsula in Cornwall, England (50.20 N, 5.75 W). Find England on this map. Could a monarch cross the Atlantic Ocean? (Click image to enlarge.) Image: NASA's Goddard Flight Center   Monarch sightings are very rare in England. Milkweed does not grow there, and monarchs must have milkweed for their young to eat. There are monarchs in southern Spain and North Africa, but those monarchs do not migrate. So where did the monarch come from? Did it cross the Atlantic Ocean? Look at the map and consider the question yourself: Journaling Question Where do you think the monarch that was sighted in England came from? Describe how you think it got there. How do you know? Give evidence to support your answer.   Think through the question carefully. Then read what the experts think... Copyright 2004 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form