The fall migration of Monarch butterflies is one of those fascinating natural mysteries to which human beings still don’t have any answers. For centuries, the black and orange Monarchs have been marvelous winter attractions in the Californian and Mexican regions. though, no one had any clue to this enormous influx of Monarch butterflies in these regions.
In 1937, part of this mystery was unfolded by means of the attempts of a researcher named F. A. Urquhart; he began placing wing tags on the butterflies so that track their origins and whereabouts. His endeavors bore results and it was brought to light that the Monarch butterflies were original natives of the northern regions. The winged beauties soared and glided in the sunlit skies across USA from March by means of October. Come winter, and they would migrate to the warmer regions southwards to keep away from the cold winds, returning to their summer grounds in the wake of spring.
The migration and the life cycle of a Monarch butterfly resume to puzzle human beings. Studies have established that a Monarch butterfly completes a round trip only once in its entire life cycle. With an average life span of about 6-8 weeks (of one generation by means of the a numerous stages – egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly), the migration chapter is not covered in a single generation. in truth, it is the fourth generation Monarch butterflies that take the long flights (ranging to a few 1800-2500 miles) from their summer homes to their winter roosting spots traversing numerous mountains and forests in their way.
The first 3 generations complete their life cycles in the northern regions. The fourth generation butterflies attain maturity at the onset of Fall. These adults are slightly distinct from the summer adults; they don’t mate rather take to flight to keep warm. Monarch butterflies east of the Rocky Mountains migrate to the Oyamel fir trees of Mexico and the ones west of the Rockies migrate to the eucalyptus trees of Pacific Grove and surrounding areas in southern California. The fall generation Monarchs hibernate in their warm nesting grounds of Mexico and southern California until the advent of spring when they wake up to mate and migrate back to the summer homes. There they lay eggs and die.
In spite of the most honest researching, Monarch butterflies have remained an enigma for humankind. We yet don’t have any explanation to how these small winged creatures keep revisiting the same trees year after year and that being fourth generation offsprings!
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.