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Where do Arizona monarchs go for the winter?
The monarch pictured below was tagged in Arizona by researchers at the Southwest Monarch Study. Chris Kline began the study because he was so curious about migration patterns in Arizona. He explains, "It is well accepted that monarch butterflies east of the Rocky Mountains travel to the mountains near Mexico City during the winter. Monarchs west of the Rockies migrate to the coast of California. Since Arizona is south of the Rocky Mountains, where do Monarchs go? Or, do they go anywhere at all?" Tagging recoveries from the Arizona study have uncovered fascinating new information which you're about to see. But first, find Arizona on a map and make a prediction:
  • Where do you think a monarch in Arizona would go for the winter?

Photo: Marceline Vandewater, Southwest Monarch Study