Published: 04/26/2023

Overlapping Generations

With May right around the corner, migratory activity will accelerate over the coming weeks. Journey North volunteers are reporting monarchs with old and faded wings as well as first generation, fresh-winged monarchs.

Nora in Alexandria, VA: "Faded coloring. In a field with common milkweed." (04/20/2023)

The monarchs of the overwintering generation have only a few weeks left to live. The worn-winged butterflies are no longer their brilliant orange. Most monarchs from this generation will die by the first of May. At this time in the migration season, Journey North volunteers are observing multiple generations of monarchs.